Mumbai Police on Tuesday issued a summons to stand-up comedian Kunal Kamra to record his statement regarding a case filed against him for allegedly making objectionable remarks about Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde. The summons was delivered to his Mumbai residence, where his parents reside, and was also sent to him via WhatsApp, as Kamra is currently in Puducherry.
The controversy erupted after a complaint was filed by Shiv Sena MLA Mangesh Kudalkar at the Kurla Nehrunagar police station, urging legal action against Kamra. Earlier, a Zero FIR was registered at MIDC police station regarding Kamra’s joke during a stand-up performance. Meanwhile, Khar Police have booked Yuva Sena general secretary Rahool Kanal and others for vandalizing the Unicontinental Hotel, where Kamra’s show was being filmed.
Deputy Commissioner of Police (Zone 9) Dixit Gedam confirmed that two cases have been registered—one against Kamra for his remarks and another against those responsible for vandalism.
Shiv Sena has demanded an unconditional apology from the comedian. However, Kamra has remained defiant, stating that he will not apologize.
“I don’t fear this mob, and I will not be hiding under my bed, waiting for this to die down,” Kamra posted on X (formerly Twitter). He defended his joke, arguing that his remarks were similar to statements previously made by Deputy CM Ajit Pawar about Eknath Shinde.
“Our right to freedom of speech and expression is not only used routinely 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,” he added.
Kamra also criticized the authorities for failing to act against those who resorted to vandalism in response to his joke.
“I am willing to cooperate with the police and courts for any lawful action taken against me. 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 questioned.
He further condemned the actions of unelected BMC officials, who, according to him, arrived at Habitat—one of his performance venues—without prior notice and caused damage with hammers.
Mocking the situation, Kamra remarked, “Perhaps for my next venue, I will opt for Elphinstone Bridge or any other structure in Mumbai that’s in need of speedy demolition.”
Criticizing the attack on the venue, he wrote, “An entertainment venue is merely a platform. Habitat (or any other venue) is not responsible for my comedy. Attacking a venue for a comedian’s words is as senseless as overturning a lorry carrying tomatoes because you did not like the butter chicken you were served.”
While Kamra has agreed to cooperate with the police, the case has reignited the debate over freedom of speech and political intolerance in India.
