‘This is legal, mine wasn’t’: Kangana Ranaut on demolition over Kunal Kamra’s Eknath Shinde joke

On comedian Kunal Kamra’s controversy, Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) MP Kangana Ranaut on Tuesday asked “what are the credentials” of the people who insult and defame someone “for two minutes of fame”.

Comedian Kunal Kamra stoked controversy with his stand-up act in which performed a parody of a popular Hindi song from the film “Dil Toh Pagal Hai,” apparently referring to Shinde as a “gaddar” (traitor). He also made jokes about recent political developments in Maharashtra, including the Shiv Sena and NCP splits.

Reacting to the Kunal Kamra row, BJP MP Kangana Ranaut, “…We should think where society is heading when someone does this only for 2 minutes of fame…You might be anyone, but insulting and defaming someone…A person for whom his/her respect is everything, and you insult and disregard them…Who are these people, and what are their credentials? If they can write, they should do so in literature…Abusing people and our culture in the name of comedy…”

Freedom of speech is there, but there should be a limit, Shinde said on Monday reacting to Kamra’s comments.

The Shiv Sena leader further said he does not focus on who says what as his work speaks for him.

On Sunday night, Shiv Sena members damaged the Habitat Comedy Club in Mumbai’s Khar area, where Kamra’s show took place, as well as a hotel in whose premises the club is located.

“Freedom of speech is there. We understand satire. But there should be a limit. This is like taking ‘supari’ (contract) to speak against someone,” Shinde said at a BBC Marathi event.

On the Shiv Sainiks vandalising the studio where Kamra had performed and made those remarks, Shinde said the other person should also maintain a certain level.

“Otherwise, action causes reaction,” he said.

“I will not speak much on this. I do not justify vandalism,” the Dy CM added.

“This same person (Kamra) had commented on the Supreme Court of India, the Prime Minister, (journalist) Arnab Goswami and some industrialists. This is not freedom of speech; this is working for someone,” Shinde said.

Kamra has said he will not apologise for his controversial comments about Shinde and criticised the vandalism of the venue in Mumbai where the comedy show was recorded.