After Ranveer Allahbadia another Indian standup comedian, Kunal Kamra falls victim to controversy for his joke. Today in India you will come across several worrisome incidents from rape to degradation of education. However, one cannot deny the major disruption of India’s democracy are stand-up comedians.
From Ranveer Allahbadia to Kunal Kamra, these comedians’ jokes are the major worrisome content for our politicians and media. A comedic video of Kumal Kamra is the root of the latest controversy that has politicians, media, internet and mobs up in arms against the comedian. So, what’s this controversy?
The Start of Controversy
Kunal Kamra on this channel released his latest comedic video that threw shade at Maharashtra’s Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde. His comedy skit, ‘Naya Bharat’ that calls Shiv Sena leader and Deputy Chief Minister, Eknath Shinde a ‘ gaddar,’ on his video. The video is a political satire on new India, however, the video backfired on Kamra.
From FIR to destruction of Kunal Kamra’s latest stand-up venue, Habitat Studio in Mumbai, Kamra life has turned upside down with this controversy. Shiv Sena goons attack on his Mumbai venue and death threats are the least of his worries because the main crime remains his ‘Gaddar’ remark on the Shinde that he is unwilling to take back.
Kamra has refused to apologize for the same until law directs him to do the same. At his refusal, Gulab Raghunath said, “Shiv Sena won’t leave him… We won’t tolerate this insult… if he doesn’t apologise, kabhi toh bahar aayega na, kaha chupega? (he will come out, where will he hide)… The Shiv Sena will show its real form.”
Maharashtra’s Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde’s Take On The Matter
Eknath Shinde said, “A person should maintain a certain level. Otherwise, action causes a reaction. Freedom of speech is there. We understand satire. But there should be a limit. This is like taking ‘supari’ (contract) to speak against someone,” on Kamra’s joke about him. Being the leader of Shiv Sena, Shinde has a massive following who also had something to say for the comedian, “action causes reaction.”
Others criticized the attack on Kamra, as “an assault on free speech.” While other netizens feel the freedom of speech in India is only limited to the party in power BJP and its supporters. A fan commented, “Super… Freedom of speech only for #BJPee…Can you forget Anurag Thakur ‘Goli Maro’ (Shoot Them) speech… Till now no apology, no FIR and no arrest… And people giving gyan o comedians…That’s their talent.”
Another fan questions major incidents in the country that was kept under wraps due to political power, “Where is the justice for RG KAR’s case?? Ohh sorry Chaiwala TOOK MONEY FROM DIDI AND KEPT THE SO CALLED HONOURABLE JUDGE UNDER HIS PAW AND LET THE ENTIRE CASE WRAPPED UP UNDER THE CARPETS….. Bura lagega andh bhakto ko pad yeh bhi saach hain (This might hurt blind followers but its the truth).”
So, what’s your take on this controversy? Do you feel freedom of speech comes with a limit? Or do you feel it’s limited only to a few powerful people?
