Reaction Of Devendra Fadnavis On Comedian Kunal Kamra's Joke

Comedian Kunal Kamra's recent stand-up performance has ignited a firestorm of outrage among supporters of Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde.

The controversy erupted when Kamra, during his set at the Uncontinental Mumbai hotel, referred to Shinde as a traitor. He further stirred the pot by using a modified version of a Hindi song from the film 'Dil To Pagal Hai' to depict Shinde's 2022 rebellion against his former leader Uddhav Thackeray, who lost his position due to a mass defection of MLAs that allowed Shinde to form a new government in partnership with the BJP.

Commenting on the statement, Fadnavis said, "There is freedom to do stand-up comedy, but he cannot speak whatever he wants. The people of Maharashtra have decided who the traitor is. Kunal Kamra should apologize. This will not be tolerated. There is the right to comedy, but if it is being done to defame someone purposely, it is not right. Kunal Kamra has posted the same red constitution book shown by Rahul Gandhi. Both of them have not read the Constitution. The Constitution allows us freedom of speech, but it has limitations.”

The fallout from Kamra's act was immediate, with Shinde's supporters taking to social media and making public statements expressing their discontent. The backlash escalated significantly, with Shiv Sena workers vandalizing the Mumbai hotel where Kamra performed.

Known for his sharp satire and commentary on Indian politics, Kamra has previously found himself at the center of controversies. In 2020, he confronted journalist Arnab Goswami during an IndiGo flight, challenging his journalistic integrity.

Despite the uproar, Kamra continues to enjoy a strong following in the Indian comedy scene, with a robust presence on social media platforms.