Stand-up comedian Mr Kunal Kamra has received a second summons from the Mumbai Police over his satirical song referencing Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde.
However, rather than backing down, Mr Kamra doubled down by releasing another parody, this time targeting Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman.
On Wednesday, Mr Kamra shared a segment from his stand-up special Naya Bharat, posting a video on X with popcorn emojis, reported India Today.
The clip featured a parody of the song Hawa Hawai from the 1987 Bollywood classic Mr. India. In his version, Mr Kamra referred to Madam Sitharaman as “sari wali didi” and “Nirmala tai”, mocking the government’s economic policies.
The lyrics criticised inflation, corporate tax structures and middle-class struggles, while taking a jab at the controversy surrounding GST on popcorn.
Madam Sitharaman had previously justified differential GST rates on popcorn based on whether it contained sugar or spice. Mr Kamra’s parody hinted at this issue, satirising the finance minister’s explanations.
Mr Kamra’s legal troubles stem from a previous satirical song based on Bholi Si Surat from the film Dil To Pagal Hai, reported NDTV.
Without explicitly naming Mr Shinde, the comedian referenced gaddar (traitor), a term associated with Mr Shinde’s 2022 defection from Uddhav Thackeray’s Shiv Sena to join hands with the Bharatiya Janata Party.
Shiv Sena legislator Murji Patel filed a police report, leading to an FIR under Section 356(2) (defamation) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita at Dombivli police station in Thane district.
Mumbai Police summoned Mr Kamra on Tuesday, but he requested a week’s time to appear. His request was denied, and a second summons was issued on Wednesday, reported the Hindustan Times.
On Sunday night, Shiv Sena workers stormed the Habitat Comedy Club in Khar, where Mr Kamra had performed. Videos showed them throwing chairs, damaging property and leaving documents scattered.
Instead of retreating, Mr Kamra responded by posting another satirical clip. Using Hum Honge Kamyaab (We Shall Overcome), he changed the lyrics to Hum Honge Kangaal (We Will Be Bankrupt), overlaying the footage of the vandalism.
His video also featured Shiv Sena Yuva Sena General Secretary Rahool Kanal, who had told news agency ANI that the vandalism was just a trailer.
Police registered an FIR against 40 Sena workers for ransacking the venue. On Monday, they arrested 12 individuals, including Mr Kanal, but they were granted bail the same day.
Mr Shinde, speaking in the Maharashtra Legislative Council on Wednesday, dismissed the controversy. “You keep calling me gaddar, but soon you’ll have to shut the daar (door) of your party,” he said, referencing the Shiv Sena faction led by Mr Thackeray.
Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis took a strong stance against Mr Kamra’s comments, stating in the Assembly that freedom of expression should not lead to defamation. “Action will be taken as per the law,” he asserted.
However, Mr Shinde also distanced himself from the vandalism, calling it an emotional reaction from party workers. He suggested Mr Kamra’s act might be part of a larger conspiracy, questioning, “Who is behind him?”
Amid the controversy, the Opposition questioned why the BJP reacted strongly to Mr Kamra’s parody song but remained silent on his past jabs at Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Ambadas Danve pointed out the inconsistency. “Kamra has directly criticised PM Modi in his shows, and the BJP never objected. But now, over a song that doesn’t even name Shinde, they are outraged. It seems the BJP is using Shinde as a front to target Kamra,” he remarked.
Despite legal action and backlash, Mr Kamra remains defiant. After the vandalism, he declared on X: “I will not apologise,” taking aim at both political leaders and mobs angered by his jokes.
With police investigations ongoing and another summons issued, Mr Kamra’s legal troubles are far from over. However, his satirical takes continue to spark debates on freedom of expression and political sensitivities in India.
