One Should Speak Within Their Rights; Ajit Pawar Urges Restraint
Kunal Kamra Row: Ajit Pawar Urges Restraint, Says Speech Must Stay Within Rights
Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar weighed in on the escalating controversy surrounding comedian Kunal Kamra on Monday, stressing that freedom of expression must remain within the bounds of the law and Constitution.
Speaking to reporters in Chhatrapati Sambhaji Nagar, Pawar said, “No one should go beyond the law, Constitution, and rules. One should speak within their given rights. Differences of opinion are natural, but it should not escalate to a point where police intervention becomes necessary.”
The remarks come amid a firestorm triggered by Kamra’s stand-up performance at Mumbai’s Habitat Comedy Club on Sunday night, where he took a satirical swipe at Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde. In a parody of the song “Bholi Si Surat” from Dil To Pagal Hai, Kamra called Shinde a “gaddar” (traitor), referencing his 2022 rebellion against Uddhav Thackeray that fractured the Shiv Sena.
The jibe prompted an immediate backlash, with Shiv Sena workers vandalizing the Khar-based venue later that evening, smashing furniture and equipment in protest.
Pawar’s call for restraint reflects a broader political reaction to the incident. While Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis demanded an apology from Kamra, labeling the remarks “low-level comedy” and disrespectful to a constitutional figure, opposition leaders like Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Priyanka Chaturvedi defended the comedian, arguing he merely commented on the political landscape.
An FIR has been lodged against Kamra at Khar Police Station for alleged defamation, alongside a separate case against over 35 Sena workers for the vandalism.
The Habitat Studio announced a temporary closure on Monday, citing safety concerns, while the episode has reignited debates over the limits of free speech in India. Pawar’s measured stance underscores the delicate balance between expression and maintaining public order, as Maharashtra grapples with the fallout of this latest clash between comedy and politics.
