Kunal Kamra Shares New Post, Accuses Govt of Silencing Dissent: 'Not Merely Playbook; It's A Political Weapon'
Stand-up comedian Kunal Kamra on Tuesday criticised the government, alleging that it was orchestrating a systematic effort to silence dissenting artists.
His remarks follow the controversy surrounding his alleged "gaddar" (traitor) joke about Maharashtra's Deputy Chief Minister, Eknath Shinde.
In a post on X titled "How to Kill an Artist 'Democratically'", Kamra described what he claimed was a "playbook" employed by the ruling government to suppress free speech and artistic expression.
"1) Generate just enough outrage for brands to cease commissioning their work. 2) Increase the outrage-until private and corporate gigs dry up. 3) Amplify the outrage-so major venues refuse to take the risk. 4) Escalate to violent outrage-until even the smallest spaces shut their doors. 5) Summon their audience for questioning-turning art into a crime scene. Now, the artist faces only two choices: sell their soul and become a puppet for money, or wither away in silence."
Kamra further asserted, "This is not merely a playbook; it is a political weapon. A silencing machine."
Legal Troubles and Police Summons
Last week, three FIRs registered against Kamra in Nashik Rural, Jalgaon, and Nashik (Nandgaon) were transferred to the Khar police station in Mumbai, where a case had already been lodged based on a complaint by Shiv Sena MLA Murji Patel.
Kamra had performed his satirical video targeting Eknath Shinde at the Habitat Studio in Khar. Following the controversy, Shiv Sena workers vandalised the studio and an adjoining hotel on the night of 23rd March.
Kamra's latest remarks come a day after he failed to appear before Khar police regarding the case. A police team subsequently visited his Mahim residence to check his availability.
In response, Kamra mocked the visit, stating that it was a waste of time and public resources as he had not lived there for the past 10 years.
A police official confirmed to news agency PTI that Kamra had been summoned to appear before the Khar police on Tuesday, adding that this was his second summons.
"A Khar police team visited his house in Mahim, where his family resides, to verify whether he would attend the inquiry. As he did not, further action will soon be determined," the official stated.
Kamra responded in a post on X, saying, "Going to an address where I haven't lived for the last 10 years is a waste of your time & public resources."
The first notice requesting his appearance was issued last week, but his request for a seven-day extension was denied by the police.
On March 28, the Madras High Court granted Kamra interim anticipatory bail on the condition that he execute a bond to the satisfaction of the judicial magistrate in Vanur, Villupuram district, Tamil Nadu. Kamra informed the court that he had relocated from Mumbai to Tamil Nadu in 2021 and had been "ordinarily a resident of this State (Tamil Nadu) since then", fearing arrest by Mumbai police.
(With PTI inputs)
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