Maharashtra Legislative Council’s privileges committee has summoned comedian Kunal Kamra over alleged derogatory remarks against Deputy CM Eknath Shinde. Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Sushma Andhare has also been asked to appear before the council. The hearing is scheduled for Thursday
Kunal Kamra. File pic
The Maharashtra Legislative Council's privileges committee has summoned stand-up comedian Kunal Kamra and Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Sushma Andhare for a hearing over their alleged insulting remarks against Deputy Chief Minister (CM) Eknath Shinde, news agency PTI reported.
Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) Member of Legislative Council (MLC) Prasad Lad, who is the chairperson of the privileges committee, while speaking to the media on Wednesday, said that the notice was issued to Kamra and Andhare 15 days ago.
Lad added that Kamra and Andhare have been asked to appear before the committee for a hearing at 2 pm on Thursday, PTI reported.
"If they fail to turn up after two summons, the committee will decide on action against them," the BJP MLC emphasised.
In March 2025, Kamra posted his video 'Naya Bharat', in which he sang a parody of 'Bholi Si Surat', a popular song from the Bollywood movie 'Dil To Pagal Hai'.
In the parody song, he allegedly targeted the Maharashtra Deputy CM, leading to multiple first information reports (FIRs) against him.
Breach of privilege notice moved against Kunal Kamra
A breach of privilege motion was moved by BJP MLC Pravin Darekar over "derogatory remarks" against Shinde, whose party is a constituent of the BJP-led Mahayuti.
The stand-up comedian, who has often courted controversy for his anti-establishment views, targeted Shinde in a song parody last year, indirectly referring to him as a traitor without naming him.
Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Andhare had allegedly supported Kamra over his remark on the deputy CM.
Kunal Kamra on his return as comedian
Although Kunal Kamra has continued engaging audiences through podcasts on his channel, he has not returned to live stand-up performances since the incident. He mentioned this in a statement shared on Instagram in December 2025.
Kamra addressed questions about the future of his stand-up career in the post. He requested people not to ask about his return to the stage, saying he himself does not know when that will happen. He also highlighted the exhausting legal process involved before performing a stand-up act.
“It’s a question I ask myself. The answer is, I don’t think I’m ready to fight for this anymore. Every venue, every show, permissions from authorities, conditional declarations of what I can say and what I can’t, and the court cases that follow the jokes eventually. There’s no road for wanting to do stand-up in the true sense. There are two options: say what is allowed and adjust to invisible rules and non-existent laws, or just wait and enjoy the waiting,” Kamra wrote in an Instagram story.
(With inputs from PTI)
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