Mumbai: Comedian Kunal Kamra told a Maharashtra legislative privileges committee on Thursday he feels no remorse for remarks targeting Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde and will not apologise, calling it insincere and a bad precedent for artistic freedom.
Appearing before the panel after a breach of privilege notice, Kamra stood firm. He later posted on X: “The way I remember the last three questions of my cross-examination this evening — Do you feel remorse? No. Are you sorry about what you said? No. If you tender an unconditional apology, this matter will be looked at differently — No, I can’t, as the apology would not be sincere. Also, it would set a terrible precedent for other artists and their freedom.”
The panel, chaired by Prasad Lad, was formed following a complaint by BJP MLC Pravin Darekar. Lad said: “Cross-questioning of both Kunal Kamra and Pravin Darekar took place today. Around 24 questions were asked to Kunal Kamra.”
Questions covered constitutional rights and the committee's powers. “Questions were also raised about constitutional rights and the rights of the Privileges Committee. He answered all the questions. The committee also informed him that if he offered an unconditional apology, the matter would be considered differently. His lawyer stated that they would discuss this with him and send their response to the committee in writing via email,” Lad added.
(Inputs from PTI)