Stand-up comedian Kunal Kamra is set to face fresh legal troubles as three separate cases have been registered against him at Khar police station over his alleged controversial remarks about Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde.
According to Mumbai Police, one of the complaints was lodged by the Mayor of Jalgaon city, while the other two were filed by a hotelier and a businessman from Nashik.
Kamra has been summoned twice for questioning by Khar police but has yet to appear for the investigation.
On 27 March, the Mumbai Police issued a third summons, asking the comedian to present himself at Khar police station on 31 March. The case stems from a complaint lodged by Shiv Sena MLA Murji Patel.
Earlier, the Madras High Court granted Kamra interim anticipatory bail in connection with multiple FIRs lodged against him. Justice Sunder Mohan ordered the interim relief until 7 April, imposing certain conditions.
Kamra had approached the High Court seeking transit anticipatory bail, citing security concerns following threats he allegedly received over his recent satirical remarks.
The controversy erupted after Kamra, during a stand-up performance, made a joke in which he allegedly referred to Shinde as a "gaddar" (traitor).
Also read: Art and abuse can’t go together; Kamra must face law
The remarks drew sharp criticism from political leaders, who demanded action against him.
Following the backlash, members of Yuva Sena, the youth wing of Eknath Shinde's Shiv Sena faction, vandalised the Habitat comedy venue where Kamra had performed.
The comedian, however, has refused to issue an apology, asserting that he will cooperate with the police.
Addressing the incident, Kamra condemned the attack on the venue, stating: "An entertainment venue is merely a platform. A space for all sorts of shows. Habitat (or any other venue) is not responsible for my comedy, nor does it have any power or control over what I say or do. Neither does any political party. Attacking a venue for a comedian's words is as senseless as overturning a lorry carrying tomatoes, because you didn't like the butter chicken you were served."
Kamra also criticised the mainstream media, accusing it of acting as a mouthpiece for the ruling party.
"The mainstream media at this point is nothing but a miscommunication arm of the ruling party. They are vultures who report on issues that don't matter to the people of this country. If they all shut shop from tomorrow till eternity, they will be doing a favour to the country, its people, and their own children," he wrote on X.
Responding to the political leaders threatening him, Kamra defended his right to free speech, asserting that satire is not illegal.
"Our right to freedom of speech and expression is not only to be used 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. As far as I know, it is not against the law to poke fun at our leaders and the circus that is our political system," he said in a statement.
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