Kunal Kamra Summoned by Mumbai Police Over ‘Defamatory’ Remarks Against Eknath Shinde

Mumbai's Khar Police have summoned comedian Kunal Kamra over his remarks on Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde. As Kamra is currently outside Maharashtra, the police have also sent the summons via WhatsApp, asking him to record his statement at 11 AM.

The summons comes a day after Kamra released a statement on social media, making it clear that he would not apologize for his act. Responding to the backlash over his YouTube video, Kamra asserted that entertainment venues are merely platforms and should not be held responsible for his content.

"An entertainment venue is just a platform for various performances. Habitat (or any other venue) is not responsible for my comedy, nor does it control what I say. Neither does any political party. Attacking a venue for a comedian's words is as irrational as overturning a tomato truck because you disliked your butter chicken," he said in his statement.

'Remarks Not Against Law'

Kamra also hit back at political leaders who threatened him, stating that the inability to take a joke does not alter his right to free speech. He emphasized that his comments were not illegal.

"Our right to freedom of speech is not just for praising the powerful and the wealthy, despite what today's media might suggest. Your inability to handle a joke at a public figure's expense does not change my right to express myself. As far as I know, making fun of politicians and our political circus is not against the law," he added.

Kamra further stated that he is willing to cooperate with the police but questioned whether the law would be applied equally to those who resorted to vandalism in response to his joke.

What's the Controversy?

Kamra's stand-up special, in which he mocked Eknath Shinde, has sparked political outrage. While the controversy has led to vandalism at the Mumbai venue where the show was filmed, several politicians, including Samajwadi Party MP Jaya Bachchan and Shiv Sena (UBT) leaders, have defended Kamra's right to free expression and condemned the attack.