Kunal Kamra Summoned Again: Opposition Questions BJP’s Silence on Comedian’s Political Jokes

Lead: Comedian Kunal Kamra, known for his controversial stand-up routines, has received a second summons from Mumbai Police in connection with remarks deemed derogatory towards Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde. While Kamra’s jokes about political leaders have stirred significant public attention, the Opposition parties are questioning the BJP’s silence on Kamra’s sharp critiques of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. This rising political controversy comes amidst heightened tensions between parties in Maharashtra.

Why has Kunal Kamra been summoned?

• Kunal Kamra, 36, is summoned due to his comments that seemingly target Eknath Shinde’s political past.
• Kamra’s parody of a popular Hindi song implied that Shinde was a ‘gaddar’ (traitor) regarding his role in the political upheaval of 2022.
• The backlash intensified when Shiv Sena members vandalized the Habitat Comedy Club where Kamra performed, leading to public outcry and police action.
• The police registered an FIR based on a complaint from Shiv Sena MLA Murji Patel.

Political Implications and Reactions

Ambadas Danve, leader of the opposition in Maharashtra’s legislative council, criticized the BJP’s lack of response to Kamra’s direct jibes at PM Modi, contrasting it with their outrage over a parody song that did not mention Shinde directly. He stated:

“Kunal Kamra directly criticized Prime Minister Modi in his show, and the BJP took no offense. But the same party was outraged over a parody song that did not even name Shinde. It appears the BJP is using Shinde as a front to target Kamra.”

Current Developments

• The first summons issued to Kamra was on Tuesday, coinciding with the commencement of a defamation case investigation.
• Kamra requested a week to comply with the summons after receiving the notice.
• In addition to Kamra, police also filed a case against 40 Shiv Sena workers for vandalizing the comedy club during the uproar.
• Rahul Kanal, a Shiv Sena functionary, and 11 others were arrested and granted bail on charges stemming from the incident.

Conclusion: The interactions between Kunal Kamra and political figures in Maharashtra reflect a significant clash between comedy and politics, raising questions about freedom of expression in comedic performances. As Kamra prepares to face the Mumbai police again, the broader implications of these events will likely continue to engage public and political discourse in India.

Keywords: Kunal Kamra, Mumbai Police, Eknath Shinde, Shiv Sena, BJP, political satire, Maharashtra, comedy controversy, freedom of expression, defamation case

Hashtags: #KunalKamra #EknathShinde #PoliticalSatire #MumbaiPolice #ShivSena #BJP #Comedy #FreedomOfExpression



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