Kunal Kamra Faces Backlash Over Joke on Eknath Shinde; Shiv Sena Leaders Issue Warnings
Stand-up comedian Kunal Kamra has found himself in trouble again, this time over a joke aimed at Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister and Shiv Sena leader Eknath Shinde. His remarks have sparked outrage among Sena members, leading to strong warnings and even vandalism.
Kamra’s comedy show, recorded at Hotel Unicontinental in Mumbai’s Khar, featured a satirical reference to Shinde, calling him a “gaddar” (traitor) through a modified version of a song from Dil Toh Pagal Hai. While he didn’t take names, the implication was clear.
Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Sanjay Raut shared a clip from Kamra’s performance on X, captioning it “Kunal Ka Kamal” (The wonder of Kunal). However, the joke didn’t sit well with Shinde’s camp. Enraged party workers retaliated by vandalizing the Khar hotel where the show was filmed.
“You’ll Have to Leave the Country”
Shiv Sena MP Naresh Mhaske launched a scathing attack on Kamra, calling him a “contract comedian” and warning that he had messed with the wrong people. “He has stepped on a snake’s tail. Once it strikes, the consequences will be severe,” he said. Mhaske further threatened that Kamra would lose his freedom to move around the country. “If we start keeping an eye on him, he’ll be forced to leave India,” he added.
Mhaske also accused Kamra of being paid by Uddhav Thackeray’s faction to target Shinde, claiming that the opposition party was now resorting to hiring comedians for political attacks.
Meanwhile, Shiv Sena MLA Murji Patel demanded an apology from Kamra and vowed to teach him “his place.” He announced plans to file an FIR against the comedian at MIDC police station.
In response to the vandalism, Raut took to X again, defending Kamra as a respected comedian and slamming the Shinde faction. He also criticized Maharashtra’s Home Minister Devendra Fadnavis, calling him “weak” for allowing such attacks.
