Kunal Kamra summoned again; Opposition questions BJP’s silence on PM Modi joke
Stand-up comedian Kunal Kamra took a dig at recent political developments in Maharashtra, including the 2022 Shiv Sena split and the 2023 NCP split.
The Opposition has questioned the Bharatiya Janata Party's silence on Kunal Kamra's joke on Prime Minister Narendra Modi while reacting strongly to his parody song, even as the Mumbai Police issued a second summons to the stand-up comedian for allegedly making derogatory remarks about Maharashtra deputy chief minister Eknath Shinde.
The 36-year-old stand-up comedian has been summoned to appear before the investigating officer at Khar police station in suburban Mumbai over a case filed on a complaint by Shiv Sena MLA Murji Patel.
Police issued the first summons to Kunal Kamra on Tuesday, seeking his presence as the probe into the defamation case against him began. Quoting sources, PTI reported that after receiving the notice, the comedian requested a week to appear before the police.
Meanwhile, Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Ambadas Danve on Wednesday said the BJP remained silent on comedian Kunal Kamra's direct jibes at Prime Minister Narendra Modi but reacted strongly to his parody song that did not mention Eknath Shinde by name.
Speaking to reporters at the legislature complex after the Budget session, Danve, the leader of the opposition in the Maharashtra legislative council said, “Kunal Kamra directly criticised Prime Minister Modi in his show, and the BJP took no offence. But the same party was outraged over a parody song that did not even name Shinde. It appears the BJP is using Shinde as a front to target Kamra.”
Why has Kunal Kamra been summoned?
Without naming Eknath Shinde, Kamra allegedly targeted the deputy chief minister over his political career, including the 2022 rebellion against then-chief minister Uddhav Thackeray that led to the fall of the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) government.
He performed a parody of a popular Hindi song from Dil To Pagal Hai, seemingly referring to Shinde as a gaddar (traitor). Kamra also joked about recent political developments in Maharashtra, including the splits in the Shiv Sena in 2022 and the NCP in 2023.
On Sunday night, Shiv Sena members vandalised the Habitat Comedy Club in Khar, where Kamra's show was held, along with the hotel housing the venue.
Based on a complaint by Shiv Sena MLA Murji Patel, Khar police registered an FIR against Kamra.
Police have also filed a case against 40 workers of the Shinde-led Shiv Sena for damaging the venue. On Monday, they arrested Shiv Sena functionary Rahul Kanal and 11 others for the vandalism. A local court granted them bail the same day.
