Comedian Kunal Kamra has landed in trouble again over his jokes on Maharashtra deputy chief minister Eknath Shinde, with the state’s legislative council admitting a breach of privilege notice against him.
Council chairperson Ram Shinde told PTI that he has accepted the notice against Kunal Kamra over his “traitor” remark on Eknath Shinde and referred it to the Privileges Committee.
Breach of privilege refers to instances when any person disregards or undermines the rights and immunities enjoyed by the parliament or legislature and its members, which are essential for them to perform their duties.
State tourism minister and Shiv Sena leader Shambhuraj Desai, while talking to reporters, demanded Kamra’s immediate arrest, warning that the patience of party workers should not be tested.
“We have been asked by Shinde to observe restraint, that is why we are quiet. As Shiv Sena workers, we know how to drag him out from wherever he is hiding, but as ministers, we have some restrictions,” Desai said.
He further warned the police, saying, “Do not test our patience. Nab him from wherever he is, put him in a tyre and give him ‘prasad’.”
‘Prasad’ in Marathi refers to an offering made to God, but it is also used as a euphemism for punishment.
The row began after Kamra performed a parody song targeting Shinde at the Habitat Comedy Club in Mumbai’s Khar.
Kamra’s act triggered a strong backlash from Shiv Sena supporters, who vandalised the club and the hotel where it is located on Sunday night.
Following a complaint by Shiv Sena MLA Murji Patel, Khar police booked Kamra for allegedly making defamatory remarks against the deputy chief minister.
Ashwini Vaishnaw backs police summons to Kunal Kamra
Meanwhile, Union minister Ashwini Vaishnaw defended the police summons to Kunal Kamra over his remarks, saying legal action should be taken if required.
“If the law of the land requires it, it should be done,” Vaishnaw said in New Delhi when asked if the summons was too extreme.
Vaishnaw stressed that while the Constitution grants freedom of speech, it also includes safeguards. “We have to work within the framework of the Constitution as a society. Freedom of speech and expression is well laid out. Everybody respects it. The Constitution has also laid certain safeguards on it and those safeguards are as important as the rights,” he said.
He also said that cultural differences must be considered. “What is right in the western society might not be right in our society. There are different cultural contexts to everything,” he added.
With PTI inputs