Kunal Kamra Says He Won't Apologise For Mocking Eknath Shinde: Reports

Last Updated:March 24, 2025, 17:18 IST

Kunal Kamra stoked controversy with his "traitor" remark against Eknath Shinde, triggering massive protests by the Shiv Sena.

Kunal Kamra mocks Eknath Shinde (Photo: X/Kunal Kamra)

Stand-up comedian Kunal Kamra, who is at the centre of a controversy over apparent comments made against Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde at a recent performance, has told the police that he does not regret his actions and would not issue an apology despite facing massive backlash, according to at least two media reports on Monday.

Kamra, who has been a vocal critic of the Centre’s Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)-led government, called the influential politician a “traitor" in a Bollywood parody song on Maharashtra politics, triggering workers of Shinde’s Shiv Sena who vandalised the venue, inviting legal action, and sparking a big political debate over where freedom of expression ends and anarchy begins.

Kamra has told the police that he did not regret his remarks made during the show at Habitat studio in Mumbai’s Khar and would only apologise if instructed by courts, according to an NDTV report, soon after Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis demanded his apology. India Today reported that Kamra, however, said that he will adhere to the law.

Kunal Kamra’s ‘Traitor’ Remark Against Eknath Shinde

During a comedy show, Kamra dubbed a parody song of a Hindi film and labelled Eknath Shinde a “traitor" for his 2022 rebellion against Uddhav Thackeray-led MVA government.

News india Kunal Kamra Says He Won't Apologise For Mocking Eknath Shinde: Reports