Kunal Kamra Seeks Transit Anticipatory Bail from Madras HC in Eknath Shinde Joke Controversy
Stand-up comedian Kunal Kamra has approached the Madras High Court seeking transit anticipatory bail following a major controversy over his remarks targeting Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde during a recent comedy show. The move comes days after his comments sparked outrage, legal action, and vandalism by Shiv Sena workers in Mumbai.
Kamra’s legal team made an urgent mention before the principal bench of the Madras High Court on Friday, requesting protection from arrest. The comedian, currently facing multiple FIRs in Maharashtra, is seeking transit anticipatory bail to avoid detention while he navigates the legal proceedings. The court is expected to hear the case in its afternoon session today, sources said.
The controversy erupted after Kamra’s stand-up performance, where he allegedly referred to Shinde as a “traitor” in a parody song, prompting strong reactions from Shinde’s supporters and political allies.
The issue began when Kamra performed at the Habitat Comedy Club in Mumbai earlier this month. In his act, he modified lyrics from the Bollywood song Bholi Si Surat from Dil To Pagal Hai to take a dig at Shinde’s 2022 split from the Shiv Sena, which led to the collapse of the Uddhav Thackeray-led government. Though Kamra did not name Shinde directly, the reference was clear to the audience and later went viral online.
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Angered by the remarks, Shiv Sena workers vandalized the venue, and an FIR was filed against Kamra under sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) for defamation and public mischief. The Mumbai Police have since summoned him for questioning.
Following the incident, Khar Police in Mumbai issued a notice to Kamra, asking him to appear for investigation. However, the comedian, reportedly in Tamil Nadu, sought a week’s extension to comply. Meanwhile, a second FIR was lodged against him in Dombivli, escalating the legal pressure.
The vandalism of the Habitat Studio by Shiv Sena supporters also drew criticism, with 12 individuals arrested and later released on bail. The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) demolished parts of the venue, citing structural violations, further fueling the controversy.
Kamra has remained defiant, refusing to apologize for his remarks. In a statement on X, he said, “I will not apologise. As far as I know, it is not against the law to poke fun at our leaders.” He also questioned whether the law would be applied equally to those who vandalized the studio in response to his jokes.
The comedian emphasized his willingness to cooperate with lawful actions but stood firm on his right to free expression.
The controversy has divided political leaders in Maharashtra. Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis condemned Kamra’s remarks, stating, “We support satire, but defamatory statements will not be tolerated.” Meanwhile, Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray backed Kamra, saying, “He stated the facts and voiced public opinion.”
Shinde himself addressed the issue, remarking, “Freedom of speech is there, but there should be a limit. Action causes reaction.” The ruling Mahayuti alliance has accused Kamra of being a paid agent of the opposition, a claim he has not directly addressed.
As the Madras High Court prepares to hear Kamra’s plea, all eyes are on whether he will be granted transit anticipatory bail. A favorable ruling could allow him to return to Maharashtra without immediate arrest, giving him time to challenge the FIRs. However, the outcome remains uncertain as legal and political tensions continue to simmer.
Updates on the court’s decision are expected later today, with potential implications for free speech debates in India.
