FIR against Kunal Kamra for defamatory remarks on Dy CM Eknath Shinde
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Mumbai: The Mumbai police on Monday registered an FIR against stand-up comedian Kunal Kamra for allegedly making defamatory remarks against Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde during a show, an official said.
On Sunday night, Shiv Sena members damaged the Habitat Comedy Club in Khar, where Kamra’s show with the “gaddar” (traitor) jibe at Shinde was filmed, as well as a hotel in whose premises the club is located.
Kamra's show was held at The Habitat, the same venue that hosted the contentious 'India's Got Latent' show. Shiv Sena MLA Murji Patel filed a police complaint against Kunal Kamra after a viral video allegedly showed him using defamatory words against Eknath Shinde.
Based on the complaint, a First Information Report (FIR) was registered in the early hours of Monday against Kamra under various Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) actions, including 353(1)(b) (statements conducing to public mischief) and 356(2) (defamation), an official from MIDC police station said.
In the 2-minute video, Kunal Kamra allegedly mocked the ruling NCP and Shiv Sena, with the official confirming that an investigation is currently underway.
On Sunday night, a large group of Shiv Sena workers gathered outside Hotel Unicontinental, vandalising the hotel premises and the club where Kunal Kamra's event was held.
The video of Kamra’s jibe at Shinde was also posted on X by rival Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Sanjay Raut by saying “Kunal Ka Kamal”.
Kamra taunted Shinde using a modified version of a Hindi song from the film “Dil To Pagal Hai”, eliciting laughter from the audience.
Shiv Sena MP Naresh Mhaske issued a stern warning to Kunal Kamra in a video message, stating that the comedian would be pursued by party workers nationwide. Mhaske declared, "You will be forced to flee India."
Calling Kamra a “contract comedian”, Mhaske said he should not have stepped on the “tail of a snake (apparently referring to Shinde)”.
“Once the fangs are out, there will be dire consequences,” he warned.
Shiv Sena MP from Thane also alleged that Kamra accepted money from Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray to target Shinde.
Shiv Sena MLA Murji Patel said he would show “Kamra his level” and asked him to apologise.
Sena (UBT) MLA Aaditya Thackeray condemned the vandalism at the show venue, calling it a "cowardly" act.
In a post on X, Thackeray said, “Mindhe’s coward gang breaks the comedy show stage where comedian @kunalkamra88 put out a song on Eknath Mindhe, which was 100 per cent true. Only an insecure coward would react to a song by someone.”
“By the way, law and order in the state? Another attempt to undermine the CM and home minister by Eknath Mindhe,” he said.
(inputs from PTI)