Kunal Kamra booked for 'defamatory' remarks against Dy CM Eknath Shinde
A video of Kamra's allegedly defamatory remarks against Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister went viral on social media
The Mumbai police registered an FIR against stand-up comedian Kunal Kamra on Monday for allegedly making defamatory remarks against Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde during a show.
Kamra faces allegations of making defamatory remarks against Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde during a show at Habitat Studio in Mumbai's Khar area. The incident, filmed at a venue previously used for the controversial 'India's Got Latent' show, sparked outrage after a video of Kamra's remarks went viral.
Shiv Sena MLA Murji Patel filed a complaint leading to Kamra's FIR under sections including defamation and statements conducing to public mischief. In the nearly 2-minute video, Kamra also mocked the ruling NCP and Shiv Sena, the MIDC police station official said, adding an investigation was underway.
Simultaneously, nearly 40 Shiv Sena workers have been booked for allegedly vandalizing Habitat Studio and the adjacent Hotel Unicontinental where the show took place. The vandalism included ransacking both the studio and hotel premises following Kamra's performance, which included mocking remarks directed at Shinde and the ruling NCP-Shiv Sena coalition.
Shiv Sena MP Sanjay Raut posted Kamra's video online, dubbing it "Kunal Ka Kamal," while party leader Naresh Mhaske warned of consequences for Kamra's actions. In response, Shiv Sena MLA Murji Patel and others criticized Kamra's remarks, with Patel calling for an apology.
Meanwhile, Shiv Sena legislator Aaditya Thackeray condemned the vandalism as a "cowardly" act, emphasizing the importance of upholding law and order in the state amidst the controversy.
The incidents have highlighted tensions between freedom of expression and political sensitivity in Maharashtra, prompting ongoing police investigations into both Kamra's remarks and the Shiv Sena activists' actions.
