Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis slammed stand-up comedian Kunal Kamra for his alleged insulting remarks against Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde and demanded his apology. Fadnavis said “Urban Naxals" and "Left liberals" supporting such acts will be taught a lesson.
Addressing presspersons, Fadnavis said the state will not tolerate misusing freedom of speech. He charged that individuals cannot insult people deliberately. The chief minister said, “Kamra cannot justify his actions and escape action by showing Rahul Gandhi's Constitution (red book),” PTI reported.
VIDEO | Maharashtra CM Devendra Fadnavis (@Dev_Fadnavis) speaks on the stand-up comedian Kunal Kamra controversy.
— Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) March 24, 2025
"The way stand-up comedian (Kunal) Kamra tried to humiliate Maharashtra Deputy CM Eknath Shinde is wrong. We condemn this. Such things can't be tolerated. Kamra… pic.twitter.com/NdZREORQ7k
“When you attack the freedom of others, your freedom is restricted. If you insult people on constitutional posts to create disturbances by taking supari (contract) to get publicity, it will not be tolerated. No one will object to stand-up comedy and satire. If we behave recklessly in the garb of freedom of speech and expression, it will not be tolerated. Strict action will be taken as per law," the CM asserted, the publication reported.
Kamra, during his performance at the Habitat Studio at the Unicontinental hotel in Mumbai's Khar area on Sunday, referred to Shiv Sena leader Shinde as a "traitor" and sang a parody, modifying the Hindi song 'Dil Toh Pagal Hai'. Kamra targeted Shinde for deserting erstwhile Uddhav Thackeray-led Shiv Sena and forming a party of his own for power.
VIDEO | Kunal Kamra show controversy: "I watched that clip after the ransacking happened. I want to ask why are they so much bothered when no one's name was taken," says Shiv Sena (UBT) MLA Aaditya Thackeray (@AUThackeray).
— Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) March 24, 2025
(Full video available on PTI Videos-… pic.twitter.com/GvuXsdRCAj
Fadnavis said, “Kamra's aim was to belittle Shinde in the eyes of the people. The opposition is supporting such a talk and one wonders whether Kamra is hand-in-glove with the opposition. He has posted a picture of himself with a red copy of the Constitution book which Rahul Gandhi carries," the publication reported.
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The chief minister and leader of the Mahayuti alliance said the people of Maharashtra have given their stamp of approval for Shinde. “The 2024 assembly polls results have shown who is 'gaddar' (traitor) and who is 'khuddar' (self-respecting),” Fadnavis said.
The Maharashtra chief minister charged the comedian has a history of making low-level comments on the prime minister, the chief justice of India and the judiciary. Fadnavis charged creating controversy for publicity is Kamra’s “modus operandi”.
The Maharashtra Assembly had to be adjourned on Monday over the issue, with Shiv Sena leaders demanding stern action against Kamra.
