Home / Arts Entertainments / ‘I Will Not Apologize’: Kunal Kamra Issues Statement On Eknath Shinde Joke Row, Shares He Not Afraid Of The Mob

‘I Will Not Apologize’: Kunal Kamra Issues Statement On Eknath Shinde Joke Row, Shares He Not Afraid Of The Mob

March 25, 2025
Arts Entertainments

Comedian Kunal Kamra was yet again faced with backlash for his political satire on the current government. On Sunday as clips from his recent stand up comedy event went viral, he was seen taking digs at Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde, through a song he wrote, set to the tune of a popular song from Dil Toh Pagal Hai. The song didn’t go down well with many Shiv Sena workers of the Shinde faction, as he had called him a ‘traitor’ for separating from his own party. Now, on Monday evening, the comedian issues his first statement.

Taking to his official X (formerly known as Twitter) handle, Kunal shared his statement on the matter and revealed that he won’t be apologising. He addressed his statement to the mob that vandalised The Habitat and also the “political leaders” that have threatened to teach him a lesson. In his statement he stated that an entertainment venue is just a platform for all sorts of shows and is not responsible for his comedy.

SEE ALSO: ‘Where Is Freedom Of Speech?’: Jaya Bachchan Question As Shiv Sena Workers Create Ruckus Over Kunal Kamra’s Joke

He specified that The Habitat had no control over what he says or does, adding, “Neither does any political party.” He went on to add, “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.”

Further in his statement, while addressing the “political leaders” Kamra shared that one’s right to freedom of speech and expression should not be only used while fawning over the “powerful and rich.” He added, “Your inability to take a joke at the expense of a powerful public figure doesn’t 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.”

SEE ALSO: ‘Shocked, Worried And Extremely Broken’: Mumbai’s Comedy Studio Shuts Down After Kunal Kamra Controversy

The 36-year-old comedian revealed that he will “willingly co-operate” with the authorities and the courts for any legal actions taken against him. However he questioned if the same law would would “fairly and equally” be deployed on those who decided that vandalising an entertainment venue would be an “appropriate response” to being “offended by a joke.” Even the “unelected members of the BMC,” who had arrived at Habitat without prior notice and tore the place down with hammers. “Perhaps for my next venue, I will opt for Elphinstone bridge, or any other structure in Mumbai that’s in need of speedy demolition,” he added.

Concluding his statement, he warned the people, who had been leaking his contact information so that they could call and abuse him, that if they do, they would be “subjected to the very song you hate,” as all unknown calls go to his voicemail. Kamra stated that he won’t be apologising for whatever he said. “I don’t fear this mob & I will not be hiding under my bed, waiting for this to die down,” his statement concluded.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Related