Mumbai (Maharashtra) [India], March 24 (ANI): Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis has taken a strong stand on the alleged disparaging remarks made by stand-up artist Kunal Kamra against the state Deputy CM Eknath Shinde. The Chief Minister while speaking in the state Assembly on Monday stated that the government would not accept freedom of expression if it leads to tyranny.
The Chief Minister said, “We appreciate humour and satire. We accept political satire, but we do not accept freedom of expression if it leads to tyranny.”
He stated that Kamra staged “low-quality” comedy. “This artist makes statements against the Prime Minister, the Chief Justice; he wants to gain fame by creating controversy. He targeted Eknath Shinde and staged low-quality comedy,” adding that the people will decide whether Eknath Shinde is a traitor or a selfish person.
Further referring to Eknath Shinde as the heir to Balasaheb Thackeray’s legacy, he questioned the opposition, asking whether they had given a “supari” for the stand-up show.
“Balasaheb Thackeray’s legacy is with Eknath Shinde… and those on the opposite bench support him, have you given a supari? This Kamra tweeted a photo of the Constitution; if he had read the Constitution, he would not have committed such atrocities,” he added.
“No one has the right to insult anyone. He can write poems or satire on us, but if he insults us action will be taken. Then don’t be shy, these things will not be tolerated in Maharashtra,” the Maharashtra CM added.
Meanwhile, the Mumbai police arrested 11 members of the Yuva Sena, the youth faction of Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena, on Monday for vandalizing the Habitat Comedy venue.
The group was protesting against the alleged derogatory remarks made by stand-up comedian Kunal Kamra in his recent comedy special, ‘Naya Bharat,’ uploaded on YouTube. According to the police, the youth group entered the venue during a live show of comedian Rajat Sood, forced it to stop, and vandalized it.
Shiv Sena has strongly objected to the comments made by Kamra. Meanwhile, the opposition alliance in Maharashtra has criticized the Mahayuti government for the “breakdown of law and order.”
Earlier, officials had registered an FIR under Sections 132, 189(2), 189(3), 190, 191(2), 324(5), 324(6), 223, 351(2), 352, 333, 37(1), and 135 of the Bharatiya Nyay Sanhita (BNS), 2023, and also under sections 37 (1) and 135 of the Maharashtra Police Act. (ANI)
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