The heated controversy surrounding Samay Raina’s show, India’s Got Latent, has barely subsided, and now, another stand-up comedian, Kunal Kamra, finds himself in hot water for allegedly making defamatory remarks about politician Eknath Shinde during a live performance at Mumbai’s Habitat Comedy Club. His comments, which referred to Shinde as a ‘traitor’ without naming him directly, sparked outrage from the Shiv Sena. The situation escalated rapidly as members of the Shiv Sena youth wing vandalised the venue, resulting in FIRs filed against both Kunal and the assailants. Now, a fiery debate about freedom of speech amid political backlash has taken centre stage.
Jaya Bachchan reacts to the Kunal Kamra controversy
Veteran actress and Samajwadi Party MP, Jaya Bachchan, is not one to hold back. Amid the ongoing controversy, reporters reached outside the Parliament in search of answers. Speaking to the reporters, Jaya Bachchan openly slammed the growing restrictions on a fundamental right of citizens, i.e., the Freedom of Speech and Expression. She also criticised Shinde’s political shift, seemingly backing Kunal in the matter. Taking a jab at the current political climate, Jaya said:
“If there is a restriction on speaking, what will become of you? You are anyway in a bad situation. You would be told to speak just on this and nothing else, (you can be told) that ‘do not interview Jaya Bachchan’… You (Eknath Shinde) left your real party and formed another party for power. Isn’t that an insult to Balasaheb?… Where is freedom of speech? There is freedom of action only when there is a ruckus — beat up the opposition, rape women, murder them. What else?”
Bollywood rallies behind Kunal Kamra
Well, it looks like Jaya Bachchan isn’t the only one stepping up for Kunal Kamra. Actress and activist, Swara Bhaskar also showed her support on social media. She shared Kamra’s picture on her IG Stories which was accompanied by the word, ‘Truth’. Swara also criticised the vandalism at the comedy venue. She even shared a sarcastic note that read:
“Eknath Shinde is making sure that Habitat looks like the rest of Mumbai.”
What caused the fallout?
The controversy surrounding Kunal and Eknath Shinde’s supporters arose when, during a comedy show in Mumbai’s Habitat Comedy Club, the comedian took a dig at the condition of politics in Maharashtra. Without taking any names, Kunal took a dig at the state’s election patterns, alluding to the split factions of the Shiv Sena and the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP). He remarked that “one person” had set off this trend, pointedly using the term ‘gaddar’ (traitor) to describe them.
The controversy exploded after Kamra posted a satirical song parodying Eknath Shinde’s rebellion, cleverly set to the tune of Dil To Pagal Hai. Though he never directly named Shinde in his routine, the subtext was clear enough to ignite protests and police complaints. Shiv Sena leader, Rahul Kanal accused Kamra of running a “pre-planned conspiracy” to tarnish the deputy CM’s reputation. Kamra has been charged under BNS sections 353(1)(B), 353(2), and 356(2).
What do you think about Jaya Bachchan’s supportive words for Kunal Kamra?
Also Read: Shiv Sena Leader Warns, Comedian, Kunal Kamra For His Joke About Eknath Shinde, Says, ‘Will Make…’
