'I will not apologise for what I said,' says Kunal Kamra in first statement amidst controversy over remarks on Eknath Shinde

Comedian Kunal Kamra on Monday issued a statement in response to the controversy that erupted following his remarks about Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde during a show in Mumbai on Sunday.

Kamra's comments, where he allegedly called Shinde a "traitor," led to protests and vandalism by Shiv Sena (Eknath Shinde-bloc) workers at the venue where Kamra’s show was filmed. Kamra was also issued a warning by Sena politicians, and a case has been filed against him in Mumbai.

In his statement, Kamra addressed the incident, emphasizing that the entertainment venue, Habitat, where the show took place, should not be held accountable for his comedic content.


"An entertainment venue is merely a platform. A space for all sorts of shows. 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. 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," said Kamra.

'Your inability to take a joke...': Kamra in sharp response

Kamra further stressed the importance of freedom of speech, stating, "Our right to freedom of speech and expression is not only to be used to fawn over the powerful and rich even though today's media would have us believe otherwise. 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."

Kamra also expressed willingness to cooperate with the authorities, saying, "I am willing to co-operate with the police and courts for any lawful action taken against me." However, he raised concerns about the law being applied fairly to those who responded to his jokes with violence, referencing the vandalism at Habitat and the involvement of BMC members.

"But 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?" Kamra added.

'I will not apologise': Kunal Kamra

The comedian closed his statement with a defiant message, declaring, "I will not apologise."

Kamra said that similar comments about Shinde had been made by Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar, saying, "What I said is exactly what Mr. Ajit Pawar (1st deputy CM) said about Mr. Eknath Shinde (2nd Deputy CM)." Kamra further addressed the ongoing harassment, stating that calls from unknown numbers are being directed to voicemail, where callers are subjected to a song they apparently dislike. "To those who are busy leaking my number or calling me incessantly: I am sure you’ve realised by now that all unknown calls go to my voicemail, where you will be subjected to the very song that you hate."

"I don’t fear this mob & I will not be hiding under my bed, waiting for this to die down," he added.