Kunal Kamra refuses to apologise amid controversy over jokes on Eknath Shinde

Comedian Kunal Kamra has refused to apologise amid the ongoing controversy over his jokes on Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde. In his first statement on the matter, the stand-up comedian also condemned the vandalism of the venue in Mumbai where his comedy show was recorded.

The 36-year-old comedian has sparked a major political controversy in Maharashtra after taking a jibe at Shinde’s political career by modifying the lyrics of a popular Hindi movie song during his show.

Mumbai Police said that the MIDC police had registered an FIR against Kunal Kamra for his remarks during the stand-up comedy show, which was later transferred to Khar police for further



investigation.

Kamra’s latest stand-up performance, uploaded on YouTube and Instagram, has angered supporters of Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde. On Sunday, Shinde’s supporters vandalised the venue in Mumbai where the act was filmed and issued threats, warning that Kamra would not be allowed to “walk freely.”

While Shiv Sena MLA Murji Patel filed an FIR against Kunal Kamra, Khar police in western Mumbai detained Shiv Sena deputy leader Rahul Kanal and Vibhag Pramukh Shrikant Sarmalkar, along with others, for vandalising Intercontinental The Habitat in Khar West, where the comedy show was held.