By The Sampadak Express
Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) MP Kangana Ranaut has weighed in on the controversy surrounding comedian Kunal Kamra’s recent remarks targeting Maharashtra’s Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde. Kamra’s stand-up act, which included a parody of a popular Hindi song, caused a stir as he appeared to refer to Shinde as a “gaddar” (traitor). He also mocked the political rifts in Maharashtra, including the splits within Shiv Sena and the NCP.
Reacting to the issue, Kangana Ranaut questioned the motives behind such acts, asking, “What are the credentials of the people who insult and defame others for two minutes of fame?” She added, “You might be anyone, but insulting someone, especially a person whose respect is everything to them, is unacceptable. If these people are capable of writing, they should channel that talent into literature instead of using their platform to abuse people and our culture in the name of comedy.”
On the demolition of the hotel venue where Kamra’s show was recorded, Kangana defended the action, stating that it was done legally. She contrasted this with the demolition of her own Bandra bungalow in 2020, which she claims was carried out illegally by the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) under the Shiv Sena-led government at the time. The BMC had claimed the demolition at her property was for illegal portions, following a war of words between her and the Shiv Sena, particularly surrounding the investigation into actor Sushant Singh Rajput’s death.
Meanwhile, Eknath Shinde also weighed in on Kamra’s controversial joke. The Maharashtra Deputy CM likened Kamra’s jibe to taking a “supari” (contract) to defame someone and stressed that while freedom of speech is vital, there should be a certain level of decorum in satire. “This is like taking a supari to speak against someone. Action causes a reaction,” Shinde said, referring to the vandalism that occurred at the Habitat Comedy Club, where Kamra’s show was recorded, and the hotel premises in Khar.
Shinde further remarked that he does not focus on the comments made by others, as his work speaks for itself, but emphasized that there must be limits to satire. He condemned the violence, saying, “I do not justify vandalism,” and added, “This same person (Kamra) has made controversial comments about the Supreme Court of India, the Prime Minister, Arnab Goswami, and industrialists. This is not freedom of speech; it’s working for someone.”
Kamra, however, has refused to apologize for his remarks and criticized the vandalism, standing by his stance.
This ongoing controversy has sparked debates over freedom of speech, satire, and the boundaries of political commentary in India.
