4 days ago
Last Updated:March 26, 2025, 17:44 IST
During a recent stand-up comedy show, Kunal Kamra dubbed a parody song of a Hindi film and called Shinde a “traitor" for his 2022 rebellion against the Uddhav Thackeray-led MVA government.
Maharashtra Deputy CM Eknath Shinde (Image: PTI)
Shinde-Kamra row: Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shine on Wednesday hit out at Uddhav Thackeray-led Shiv Sena over the “gaddar" jibe and reiterated that Kunal Kamra’s controversial remark against him was part of a ‘supari’ (contract) given to him.
He further responded to the controversial comments saying that the people of Maharashtra and Supreme Court have showed who a traitor is", reported NDTV.
The 36-year-old stand-up comedian has kicked up a major political storm in Maharashtra for taking a jibe at Shinde’s political career in his show by modifying the lyrics of a popular Hindi movie song.
Read More: ‘Like Taking Supari To Speak Against Someone’: Eknath Shinde Reacts To Kunal Kamra’s Remark
While speaking at the Maharashtra Legislative Council, Shinde said, “You keep calling me ‘gaddar, gaddar‘, you will soon have to close the ‘daar‘ (door in Marathi) of your party."
Referring to the verdict given by the Maharashtra Assembly Speaker and the Election Commission – that the faction led by him is the “real" Shiv Sena – and the Mahayuti’s victory in the recently held assembly polls, the deputy CM said, “The Election Commission, Supreme Court and the Speaker of the House have said who is the ‘gaddar‘. More importantly, the people, who are above everyone, have also given their verdict. No matter how much “supari" (contract) you give, nothing’s going to work," the report added.
He further questioned Kamra, “Where was free speech for Kangana (Ranaut)?" while referring to when Kamra had hailed the action taken against BJP MP and actor Kangana Ranaut’s Mumbai office.
“Uddhav faction of the Sena and opposition members are talking about the Constitution and freedom of speech now, there have been several instances in the past when they have acted against people who criticised them," he said.
In September 2020, a part of Ranaut’s office in Mumbai’s Pali Hill was demolished by BMC after she spoke out against the Uddhav Thackeray-led Maharashtra government’s handling of actor Sushant Singh Rajput’s death.
What Kamra Said?
During a recent stand-up comedy show, Kunal Kamra dubbed a parody song of a Hindi film and called Shinde a “traitor" for his 2022 rebellion against the Uddhav Thackeray-led MVA government. Weighing on the Maharashtra politics with a musical touch to the song ‘Bholi Si Surat’, Kamra mocked Shinde and sang, “Meri nazar se tum dekho to gaddar nazar wo aaye. Haaye!"
After the clip went viral on social media, Shiv Sena warned of legal action and some of its workers vandalised the venue where the show was recorded. 12 party leaders were arrested but were later released on bail on Monday.
Kamra Goes Offensive
Kamra, in a late night statement on Tuesday said he will not apologise or hide under the bed waiting for the controversy to die down as the row over his comedy act spilled over with Shinde saying there should be limits to freedom of speech.
Kamra on Tuesday doubled down on his stand by sharing an edited video of his stand up act where he juxtaposed videos of Shiv Sainiks demolishing the venue and burning his pictures and effigies with the parody song “Hum honge kangal, hum honge kangal ek din… Mann me andhvishwas, desh ka satyanash…" playing in the background.
The MIDC police registered a first information report against Kamra for his remarks during a stand-up comedy show, which was then transferred to Khar police for further investigation.
On Tuesday, Mumbai Police, which had booked Kamra on a complaint of a Shiv Sena MLA for allegedly making defamatory remarks, issued a notice seeking his personal appearance. But, his lawyer contacted the police and asked for a week’s time for him to appear.
However, the request has been rejected. Following this, police officials have also issued a second summons to the comic.
(With inputs from agencies)
March 26, 2025, 17:35 IST
News politics ‘Supreme Court Showed Who's Real Gaddar’: Eknath Shinde On Sena Split Amid Kunal Kamra Row
