Eknath Shinde-Kunal Kamra 'joke' row: Comedian receives 500 threatening calls

Sources told Indian news channel NDTV that Kamra received at least 500 calls in which people threatened to kill him and cut him to pieces.

He has also released a new video song on his X handle where he criticised the Maharashtra-based political outfit for vandalising the studio where his show was held.

Kamra on Monday condemned the vandalism carried out at Habitat Studio in Mumbai by supporters of Eknath Shinde to protest against the former's remarks targeting the Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister.

In a post on X, Kamra said an entertainment venue is merely a platform and has no power or control over what he says or does, so attacking a venue is "senseless".

"Habitat (or any other venue) is not responsible for my comedy, nor does it have any power or control over what I say or do. Neither does any political party," he said.

"Attacking a venue for a comedian's words is as senseless as overturning a lorry carrying tomatoes, because you didn't like the butter chicken you were served," Kamra said.

"Your inability to take a joke at the expense of a powerful public figure does not change the nature of my right. As far as I know, it is not against the law to poke fun at our leaders and the circus that is our political system," the comedian said.

He said he is willing to cooperate with the police and courts for any lawful action taken against him.

However, he raised a question, "... Will the law be fairly and equally deployed against those who have decided that vandalism is the appropriate response to being offended by a joke? And against the unelected members of the BMC, who have arrived today at Habitat, without prior notice, and tore the place down with hammers?"

He also said he would not apologise for his remarks.

"I will not apologise. What I said is exactly what Mr. Ajit Pawar (1st Deputy CM) said about Mr. Eknath Shinde (2nd Deputy CM)," he said.

Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis demanded an apology in the Assembly this morning saying freedom of expression should not extend to "low-level comedy and disrespecting the Deputy Chief Minister".

Kamra, who spoke to the cops from Tamil Nadu, denied allegations that he was paid by the opposition to target Shinde.

As per reports, Kamra gave the cops permission to check his finances so they can confirm that no such payment was received.

What did Kamra say?

Kamra, who is best known for his outspoken nature, targeted Shinde during a comedy show by parodying the 1997 song 'Bholi Si Surat' from 'Dil To Pagal Hai'.

In an indirect sweep, Kamra referred to Shinde as a 'gaddar (traitor), referring to his rebellion against Uddhav Thackeray in 2022, an episode that led to the state government's collapse and the party's split.

Following his remark, Mumbai's Habitat Studio, a popular platform for stand-up comedians in the city on Monday announced its decision to shut down after Shiv Sena (Shinde) workers vandalised it.