Prashant Kishor Defends 'Friend' Kunal Kamra On Eknath Shinde Joke Row: 'He Has No Ulterior Motive'

Former election strategist and Jan Suraj Party chief Prashant Kishor has come out in support of stand-up comedian Kunal Kamra amid the growing controversy over his remarks about Eknath Shinde, asserting that Kamra does not engage in politics or have "ulterior motives."

"Kunal Kamra is my friend," Prashant Kishor stated, while acknowledging that some of his remarks had "caused controversy."

"But so far as I know him, he has no ulterior motive. People who think he is playing politics - he would not do anything like that," he added.

Kamra, according to Kishor, resides in Pondicherry.

"He does organic farming. He does stand-up comedy on the side. He has no political rivalry. He is one of those who love their country. Maybe he has chosen his words wrongly. If he has done so, then there should be legal action. But I can say he has respect for the country and its Constitution," he remarked.

Kamra has faced major trouble following his "gaddar (traitor)" remark about Shinde.

Multiple police cases have been filed against him, the venue of the contentious performance has been vandalised, and right-wing groups have issued death threats.

Political figures, including Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, have also slammed him.

On Friday, the Madras High Court granted Kamra interim anticipatory bail in relation to the multiple FIRs lodged against him.

Kamra, however, has remained defiant, refusing to retract his words.

In a post on X last week, he declared that he does not fear the mob and would not "hide under the bed."

"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," he added.