Mumbai police summon comedian Kunal Kamra for second time over Shinde row

Mumbai police have summoned stand-up comedian Kunal Kamra for the second time on March 31 for making derogatory remarks about Maharashtra’s Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde.

Kamra has been summoned to appear before the investigating officer at Khar police station on the complaint of Shiv Sena MLA Murij Patel.

He was issued the first summons on March 25, as the probe into the defamation case against him began. After receiving the notice, Kamra reportedly requested a week to appear before the police.

Meanwhile, Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Ambadas Danve alleged that the Bharatiya Janata Party is using “Shinde as a front to target Kamra as the party has remained silent on the comedian’s jokes about PM Modi but strong reaction to the parody song even though Shinde wasn’t referred by his name.

“Kunal Kamra directly criticized Prime Minister Modi in his show, and the BJP took no offense. But the same party was outraged over a parody song that did not even name Shinde. It appears the BJP is using Shinde as a front to target Kamra,” Danve told reporters at the legislature complex after the Budget session.

A massive controversy began after Kamra referred to Shinde as a "gaddar" (traitor) in a Bollywood parody song during a performance at the Habitat Comedy Club.

The remark was about Shinde's 2022 rebellion against then-chief minister Uddhav Thackeray that led to a split in the Shiv Sena and the fall of the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) government.

Following the release of the show, Shiv Sena members vandalized the venue on March 23 where the show was recorded.

While Kamra faces a defamation case, an FIR has been filed against 12 members of the Shinde-led Yuva Sena, including his close aide Rahool Kanal, for vandalizing the studio. All of them have been granted bail.

As Shinde supporters demand Kamra’s apology, he has brazenly denied apologizing for his controversial remarks.

"I will not apologize... I don't fear this mob and I will not be hiding under my bed, waiting for this to die down," Kamra tweeted amid constant attacks from BJP and Mahayuti leaders.

Shinde has, however, likened Kamra's remark against him to taking "supari" (contract) to speak against someone. He also seemingly justified the vandalism at the studio, saying, "Action causes reaction".