Comedian Kunal Kamra has recently become the focal point of intense controversy due to his satirical remarks on Maharashtra’s political dynamics. This has led to a series of protests and discussions on the boundaries of free speech in India.
Kunal’s photo displayed outside a public toilet
As per PTI, in Indore, supporters of Eknath Shinde expressed their discontent by placing Kamra’s photograph outside a public toilet in Bengali Square. They also chanted slogans against him. Anurag Sonar, president of the Madhya Pradesh unit of the Shiv Sena’s youth wing, Yuva Sena, stated, “Kamra serves filth to people in the name of comedy. To protest against his dirty mentality, we have put up his picture here. If he ever visited Madhya Pradesh, Shiv Sena workers will blacken his face and parade him on the streets.”
Earlier, in Mumbai, the Habitat Comedy Club, where Kamra performed was also vandalised.
What did Kunal Kamra say about Maharashtra politics?
Kunal took a dig at the shifting political landscape of Maharashtra, without directly naming Eknath Shinde, Kamra humorously pointed out the ongoing splits within the Shiv Sena and the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP). He joked, “First Shiv Sena left the BJP, then Shiv Sena left Shiv Sena, then NCP left NCP. A voter now has nine buttons to press… everyone is confused.” Kamra then hinted at the persons role in this political reshuffle, saying, “One person started it… He comes from a very nice district in Mumbai, Thane.”
Taking his satire a step further, Kamra modified the lyrics of the popular Bollywood song ‘Bholi Si Surat’ to mock that person. His lyrics suggested that the person frequently moves between different political camps, with references to Guwahati, where Shinde and his MLAs camped before their rebellion. The lines “Jis thali me khaye usme hi chhed kar jaaye.”
Jaya Bachchan questions freedom of speech
Meanwhile, Veteran actress and TMC MP Jaya Bachchan voiced her concerns over the controversy, questioning the state of free speech in the country. She remarked, “Where is freedom of speech? There is freedom of action only when there is a ruckus – beat up the opposition, rape women, murder them. What else? You [Eknath Shinde] left your real party and formed another party for power. Isn’t that an insult of Balasaheb?”
