The Mumbai police on Monday, registered an FIR against stand-up comedian Kunal Kamra, based on a complaint made by Shiv Sena MLA Murji Patel, for allegedly making defamatory remarks against Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde during a show, an official said.
Also Read: Kunal Kamra row: Shiva Sena functionary seeks complaint against comedian, opposition leaders including Rahul Gandhi
During a recent performance in Mumbai, Kamra referred to Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde as a “gaddar” (traitor), alluding to Mr. Shinde’s 2022 political defection that led to a split in the Shiv Sena party. In response, Shiv Sena members vandalised the venue where Kamra’s show was recorded and filed an FIR against the comedian, accusing him of defamation and inciting public mischief.
Here are notable instances where his humour and activism have stirred political sentiments and led to legal challenges:
1. Mid-air confrontation with Arnab Goswami
In January 2020, during an IndiGo flight, Kamra confronted journalist Arnab Goswami, questioning his journalistic practices. Goswami remained unresponsive throughout the encounter. Kamra later shared a video of this incident on social media, which led to IndiGo imposing a six-month flight ban on him. Other airlines, including Air India, SpiceJet, and GoAir, banned him indefinitely. This incident sparked debates about freedom of expression and the boundaries of in-flight conduct.
2. Legal challenge against IT rules 2023
In 2023, Kamra filed a petition challenging the Information Technology (Intermediary Guidelines and Digital Media Ethics Code) Rules 2023. He argued that specific provisions, particularly those allowing a government-established fact-checking unit to label content related to government affairs as fake or misleading, infringed upon freedom of expression. The Bombay High Court, in a split verdict, held that Rule 3(1)(b)(v) of these rules was unconstitutional, siding with Kamra’s concerns about potential overreach and censorship.
Also Read: Bombay High Court, in a split verdict, held that Rule 3(1)(b)(v) of these rules was unconstitutional
3. Critique of Ola CEO Bhavish Aggarwal
Kamra publicly criticised Ola Electric CEO Bhavish Aggarwal on social media, highlighting unresolved customer grievances and refund issues. The exchange escalated when Aggarwal challenged Kamra to assist in resolving customer issues or “shut up,” Kamra responded by continuing his critique, emphasising the importance of addressing consumer complaints.
4. Altercation with Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP)
In September 2022, after his show was cancelled in Gurugram due to threats from the VHP and Bajrang Dal, Kamra wrote an open letter to the VHP. He challenged the organisation to denounce Nathuram Godse, Mahatma Gandhi’s assassin, to prove they were anti-terrorism and pro-Hindu. He also demanded evidence of any instance where he had disrespected the Hindu religion, asserting that his satire targeted the government, not religious sentiments.
5. Morphed video of PM Modi’s event draws Child Rights Notice in 2020
In May 2020, Kamra faced backlash for sharing an edited video of a seven-year-old boy singing for Prime Minister Narendra Modi during his visit to Germany. The edited clip replaced the original song with “Mehengayi Daayan” from the movie “Peepli Live.” The child’s father accused Kamra of dragging his son into politics, leading the National Commission for Protection of Child Rights to take cognisance and request the removal of the video. Kamra later deleted the post, stating that his intention was not to mock the child.
6. ‘Brahmin-Baniya’ remark about the Supreme Court
In May 2020, a plea was filed against Kamra for his remark that the Supreme Court was a ‘Brahmin-Baniya’ affair during his show Be Like. The petitioners sought contempt proceedings, arguing that his comments were derogatory toward the judiciary. Kamra’s remark was seen as a critique of the perceived dominance of the Brahmin and Baniya communities in the Indian judiciary, highlighting a growing intolerance culture. He stated that taking offence had become a national sport.
7. ‘Middle Finger’ to Chief Justice of India
In 2020, Kamra posted a picture on social media showing his raised middle finger, captioning it as a message to then Chief Justice of India, Sharad Arvind Bobde. This act was in protest against the Supreme Court granting interim bail to Arnab Goswami. The Attorney General granted consent to initiate contempt proceedings against Kamra for this gesture, deeming it obscene and derogatory. Kunal Kamra’s brand of comedy, deeply intertwined with political commentary, continues to challenge societal norms and provoke strong reactions. His willingness to address contentious issues through satire has positioned him as a prominent comedian and a polarising public figure in India’s socio-political landscape.
Each of these cases against Kamra has spurred debate in India on balance between free speech and the offence taken by those in power, making his journey a notable example of the fraught interface between comedy and the law.
Published – March 24, 2025 10:55 am IST