Kunal Kamra, known for his anti-establishment stand-up routines, had targeted deputy CM Eknath Shinde in a parody song last year, indirectly referring to him as a traitor
Stand-up comedian Kunal Kamra on Tuesday appeared before the committee. File Pic
Stand-up comedian Kunal Kamra on Tuesday appeared before the Maharashtra Legislative Council’s Privileges Committee over his alleged remarks against Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde, reported the PTI.
However, in the absence of the main complainant, the hearing was adjourned and rescheduled for 10 March, committee chairperson Prasad Lad said.
Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Sushma Andhare also appeared before the panel.
Kamra and Andhare later told reporters that their statements were not recorded, as BJP leader Pravin Darekar, who filed the complaint, was not present.
Prasad Lad said that Kunal Kamra had expressed willingness to record his statement immediately, but the committee decided it would be inappropriate to proceed without the complainant. It was therefore agreed that statements from both sides would be recorded on the same day, with the next hearing scheduled for 4 pm on March 10, according to the PTI.
When asked about a warning issued by Shiv Sena members, who had allegedly threatened him with consequences if he visited Mumbai, Kamra said he felt safe.
Andhare referred to an incident last year in which the studio where Kamra performed was vandalised following his parody song about Eknath Shinde.
“We wanted to know what the charges against us are,” she said, the news agency reported.
Background to the controversy
Darekar had moved a breach of privilege notice against Kamra and Andhare for alleged derogatory remarks against Shinde, whose party is part of the BJP-led Mahayuti alliance in Maharashtra.
Kamra, known for his anti-establishment stand-up routines, had targeted Shinde in a parody song last year, indirectly referring to him as a traitor. Andhare had publicly supported the comedian, as per the PTI.
During a performance at the Unicontinental Mumbai hotel in the Khar area, Kamra used a modified version of a Hindi song from the film Dil To Pagal Hai to comment on Shinde’s 2022 rebellion against former Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray.
Following the performance, a group of Shiv Sena workers reportedly reached the hotel and ransacked its office.
Earlier this month, Kamra dismissed media reports claiming that he had sought an adjournment from the privileges committee as “incorrect”.
(with PTI inputs)
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