Stand-up comedian Kunal Kamra has reportedly received over 500 threatening phone calls, with some callers allegedly issuing death threats, in the wake of his recent joke, which is perceived to have targeted Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde.
According to sources, Kamra has requested a week's time to appear before the Mumbai Police, which has summoned him in connection with the case.
The controversy erupted after a video of Kamra’s performance at the Habitat comedy club in Mumbai’s Khar locality went viral, eliciting strong reactions from Shiv Sena (Shinde faction) supporters.
During the show, the comedian, without explicitly naming anyone, purportedly altered a song from the Bollywood film Dil Toh Pagal Hai to mock Shinde.
The remark provoked outrage among Sena workers, leading to protests and vandalism at the venue.
Following the incident, Mumbai Police arrested 12 Shiv Sena workers and leaders in connection with the vandalism, though they were later granted bail. Separately, another case was registered against 40 Sena workers for ransacking the comedy club.
A First Information Report (FIR) has also been lodged against Kamra, based on a complaint filed by Shiv Sena MLA Murji Patel at the Khar police station.
An official stated, "We have issued an initial notice to Kamra as a probe has been started into the case against him."
The official, however, did not specify the exact date of Kamra’s summons.
According to sources, the comedian has sought a week's time to appear before the police.
Further, an FIR against Kamra has been registered in Thane for allegedly defaming the Shiv Sena chief.
He has been booked under Section 356(2) (defamation) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita based on a complaint filed by a Shiv Sena functionary at the Dombivli police station.
Also read: Kunal Kamra mocks Shiv Sena in new video amid protest
Kamra remains defiant
Kamra, refusing to back down, stated that he would not apologise for his remarks. "What I said is exactly what Mr Ajit Pawar (1st Deputy CM) said about Mr Eknath Shinde (2nd Deputy CM)," he asserted.
He further remarked that he would not be cowed by threats and would not "hide under his bed until this (controversy) dies down."
Kamra also addressed the incessant phone calls he has been receiving from unknown numbers, stating, "To those who are busy leaking my number or are calling me incessantly; I am sure you have realised by now that all unknown calls go to my voicemail, where you will be subjected to the very song that you hate."
Reacting to the row, Eknath Shinde on Wednesday remarked, "We understand satire, but there should be limits." He further contended that the comedian’s remarks were akin to "taking a supari (contract) to speak against someone."
In a veiled swipe at Kamra, Shinde alleged, "This same person had made comments on the Prime Minister, the Supreme Court of India, journalist Arnab Goswami, and some other industrialists. This is not freedom of speech, this is working for someone."
Meanwhile, Shiv Sena leader and Maharashtra minister Gulab Raghunath Patil warned, "Shiv Sena won't leave him... We won't tolerate this insult... if he doesn't apologise, kabhi toh bahar aayega na, kaha chupega? (he will come out, where will he hide)... The Shiv Sena will show its real form."
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