Kunal Kamra’s latest stand-up, in which he has allegedly referred to Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde as a ‘Gaddar’ (traitor), has drawn the ire of Shiv Sena party. Photo: Screengrab via YouTube/Kunal Kamra
The Mumbai police on Monday (March 24, 2025) registered an FIR against stand-up comedian Kunal Kamra, based on a complaint made by Shiv Sena MLA Murji Patel, for allegedly making defamatory remarks against Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde during a show, an official said.
After the filing of FIR, Mr. Patel told The Hindu that he wants Mr Kamra to issue an apology within two days, else police action will follow.
“What he has said about our topmost leader is unacceptable. After seeing the clip, we went to MIDC police station last night. I went at around 11 pm. I requested the police to take strict action against him,” he said.
“We have registered an FIR at MIDC police station. We have sought immediate action by the police. Accordingly, an FIR has been registered under sections 353(1), 353(2), 356(2) of the BNS,” Mr Patel told The Hindu.
This follows the incident on Sunday (March 23, 2025) night when Shiv Sena members damaged the Habitat Comedy Club in Khar, where Mr. Kamra’s show had been filmed, as well as a hotel in whose premises the club is located.
A separate FIR has also been filed against the Shiv Sena workers who took part in the ransacking of the venue.
Mr. Kamra’s latest stand-up, in which he has allegedly referred to Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde as a ‘Gaddar’ (traitor), has drawn the ire of Shiv Sena party.
Based on the complaint, a First Information Report (FIR) was registered in the early hours of Monday against Mr. Kamra under various Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) actions, including 353(1)(b) (statements conducing to public mischief) and 356(2) (defamation), an official from MIDC police station said.
The video of Mr. Kamra’s jibe at Shinde was also posted on X by rival Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Sanjay Raut by saying “Kunal Ka Kamal”.
Mr. Kamra taunted Mr. Shinde using a modified version of a Hindi song from the film “Dil To Pagal Hai”, eliciting laughter from the audience.
Shiv Sena MP Naresh Mhaske on Sunday warned Mr. Kamra that he would be chased by the party workers throughout the country. “You will be forced to flee India,” he said in a video message.
Calling Mr. Kamra a “contract comedian”, Mr. Mhaske said he should not have stepped on the “tail of a snake [apparently referring to Shinde]”.
“Once the fangs are out, there will be dire consequences,” he warned.
The MP from Thane also alleged that the comedian had accepted money from Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray and was targeting Shinde.
Meanwhile, Shiv Sena leader Shaina NC posted on her social media account X, “Did not know that you can RENT a comedian and use him as your PUPPET ?!?!. Or as a mere diversionary tactic . Kamra’s comment, “Meri nazar se tum dekho to gaddar nazar wo aaye,” is not comedy but its vulgarity . Obviously he does not know what it takes for an auto rickshaw driver to work his way with public support to emerge as a CM and DYCm of Maharashtra , with the popularity of @mieknathshinde . The cadre of @Shivsenaofc demands legal action against @kunalkamra88.”
(With inputs from PTI)
Published – March 24, 2025 08:45 am IST
