Kunal Kamra moves Madras high court seeking anticipatory bail over Maharashtra Dy CM Eknath Shinde ‘gaddar’ remarks

Comedian Kunal Kamra has approached the Madras High Court seeking protection from arrest amid mounting controversy over his satirical performance, which allegedly targeted Maharashtra’s Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde. The stand-up comedian’s act sparked a significant political uproar in Maharashtra, leading to multiple complaints and legal actions against him.

Kamra’s legal representative, V. Suresh, presented the petition before Justice Sundar Mohan, requesting an urgent hearing. The case is expected to be taken up for consideration during the court’s afternoon session on Friday.

The controversy stems from a comedic routine in which Kamra performed a satirical rendition of the song “Bholi Si Surat” from the 1997 Bollywood film “Dil To Pagal Hai.” Though he did not explicitly mention Eknath Shinde’s name, the parody contained allusions that many perceived as directed at the Deputy Chief Minister, including the use of the term “gaddar” (traitor), which further fueled political tensions.

Toward the end of his performance, Kamra held up a copy of the Indian Constitution and addressed the audience, stating, “For all of the people who will not like this show, I have something for you… This is the Constitution of India, and this is what allows me to do what I do.” This act was widely seen as an assertion of his fundamental right to free speech and expression.

In response to his performance, multiple First Information Reports (FIRs) have been lodged against Kamra, citing his alleged derogatory remarks about Shinde. Additionally, workers from the Shiv Sena vandalized the Habitat Comedy Club, where Kamra had performed. The police registered a case in connection with the attack on the venue.

Despite the legal and political backlash, Kamra has remained defiant. He has expressed his willingness to cooperate with law enforcement authorities but has categorically refused to apologize for his comments. Taking to social media, he stated, “I will not apologize… I don’t fear this mob, and I will not be hiding under my bed, waiting for this to die down.” He also pointed out that his remarks were not entirely original but echoed sentiments expressed by Maharashtra’s first Deputy Chief Minister, Ajit Pawar, regarding Eknath Shinde.

Kamra further emphasized his constitutional right to free speech, dismissing the threats from political figures who vowed to “teach him a lesson.” He argued, “Your inability to take a joke at the expense of a powerful public figure does not change the nature of my right. As far as I know, it is not against the law to poke fun at our leaders and the circus that is our political system. However, I am willing to cooperate with the police and courts for any lawful action taken against me.”

Addressing the vandalism at the comedy club, Kamra compared the incident to an absurd reaction, stating, “It’s as senseless as someone overturning a truck full of tomatoes just because they didn’t like the butter chicken served to them.”

Meanwhile, Shinde has responded to the growing political controversy, drawing an analogy between Kamra’s comedic routine and the act of taking a “supari” (contract) to defame someone. Speaking at a BBC Marathi event, Shinde acknowledged the existence of free speech but stressed that satire should be exercised within limits to avoid provoking unnecessary conflict.

“Freedom of speech is there. We understand satire. But there should be a limit. This is like taking ‘supari’ (contract) to speak against someone,” Shinde remarked. He further noted that Kamra has previously targeted a range of influential figures, including the Supreme Court of India, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, journalist Arnab Goswami, and several prominent industrialists.

The ongoing debate surrounding Kamra’s performance has reignited discussions on the boundaries of political satire and the extent to which comedians can exercise free speech in India. While some argue that his act was a legitimate form of expression, others view it as an intentional provocation that crossed ethical boundaries. The legal and political ramifications of this case continue to unfold as Kamra awaits the Madras High Court’s decision on his plea for protection from arrest.