Mumbai: Comedian Kunal Kamra has triggered a fresh political row after sharing a photograph on social media in which he is seen wearing a T-shirt that allegedly mocks the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), drawing sharp criticism from BJP leaders in Maharashtra who have warned of possible police action.
Maharashtra minister and senior BJP leader Chandrashekhar Bawankule said police would act against those posting “objectionable” content online, referring to Kamra’s post that showed a T-shirt featuring a dog image alongside a reference linked to the RSS, the BJP’s ideological mentor. He reiterated that anyone putting out such material on social media could face legal consequences.
Shiv Sena cabinet minister Sanjay Shirsat, from the BJP’s ally in the state government, demanded a strong response from the saffron party, noting that Kamra had earlier made sharp remarks against Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde. Shirsat said Kamra had now “dared” to directly target the RSS and argued that the BJP must answer this latest provocation.
Kamra has previously faced backlash over his comments on Shinde, including a March incident where he mocked the chief minister’s political journey by tweaking the lyrics of a popular Hindi film song during a show. Following that performance, Shiv Sena workers vandalised the Habitat Comedy Club in Mumbai’s Khar area and damaged parts of the hotel complex where the venue is located.
After the latest controversy, Kamra took to social media again to stress that the photograph with the RSS reference was not “clicked at a comedy club”, seen as a pointed reference to the March vandalism episode. BJP leaders have condemned his post as insulting and provocative, saying it disrespects an organisation they consider revered.