Amid a controversy over his recent remarks about Maharashtra Deputy CM Eknath Shinde, stand-up comedian Kunal Kamra has broken his silence. In a statement posted on his official social media handle, Kamra clarified that he would not “apologize” for his comments, which sparked significant backlash.
The controversy began after Kamra’s remarks about Shinde in his latest YouTube video. Following these remarks, Shiv Sena workers reportedly vandalized the Habitat Centre in Mumbai, where Kamra had performed on Sunday.
In his statement, Kamra defended his actions, stating that an entertainment venue is merely a platform and is not responsible for his comedy. He compared the attack on the venue to an absurd act, saying, “Attacking a venue for a comedian’s words is as senseless as overturning a lorry carrying tomatoes, because you didn’t like the butter chicken you were served.”
Kamra also addressed political leaders who had threatened to teach him a lesson, asserting that his freedom of speech was not subject to their approval. “Our right to freedom of speech and expression is not only to be used to fawn over the powerful and rich, even though today’s media would have us believe otherwise. Your inability to take a joke at the expense of a powerful public figure does not change the nature of my right,” Kamra said.
He emphasized that as far as he knows, it is not illegal to joke about public figures or the political system, noting, “It is not against the law to poke fun at our leaders and the circus that is our political system.”
Kamra expressed his willingness to cooperate with authorities if lawful actions were taken against him but questioned whether the law would be fairly applied to those who engaged in vandalism as a response to his joke. “But will the law be fairly and equally deployed against those who have decided that vandalism is the appropriate response to being offended by a joke?” he asked.
Despite the ongoing controversy, Kamra stood firm, declaring that he would not apologize for his remarks and that he did not fear the “mob.” He added, “To those who are busy leaking my number or calling me incessantly: I am sure you’ve realised by now that all unknown calls go to my voicemail, where you will be subjected to the very song that you hate.”
Kamra concluded by asserting his stance, stating, “I will not apologize. What I said is exactly what Mr. Ajit Pawar (1st Deputy CM) said about Mr. Eknath Shinde (2nd Deputy CM). I don’t fear this mob & I will not be hiding under my bed, waiting for this to die down.”