"Every action has a reaction": Eknath Shinde responds to vandalism over Kunal Kamra's comments
Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde has said that "every action has a reaction," in what is his first response to the controversy triggered by comedian Kunal Kamra's comments against him.
In an interview with BBC Marathi, Shinde was asked what he made of the vandalism by his party workers at Habitat, the venue where Kamra had performed his act, and called the Maharashtra Deputy CM "a traitor" for switching sides in 2022.
People's Sentiments Are Hurt: Shinde
However, Shinde also said that he doesn’t support people taking the law into their hands, but added that "when someone makes objectionable remarks, people’s sentiments are hurt.” He reiterated that he doesn’t endorse "the bulldozer culture," but said that "people react when provoked.”
Questioning Kamra's Intent
The Shiv Sena chief emphasised that personal freedom was crucial in a democracy, but also questioned the intent behind Kamra’s comments. He accused Kamra of making these controversial statements under someone else's influence, asking, "Who does he take supari from to do such things?"
I will not apologise: Kunal Kamra
The statement comes a day after Kunal Kamra refused to apologise for his comments. In a late-night statement on Monday, Kamra wrote, “Our right to freedom of speech and expression is not only to be used to fawn over the powerful and rich even though today’s media would have us believe otherwise. Your inability to take a joke at the expense of a powerful public figure does not change the nature of my right. As far as I know, it is not against the law to poke fun at our leaders and the circus that is our political system.”
What Triggered The Controversy
The controversy erupted after Kamra’s stand-up performance, where he labelled Shinde a “traitor” for splitting the Shiv Sena in 2022 and aligning with the BJP, a move that ousted Uddhav Thackeray’s faction and secured Shinde’s position as the Chief Minister of Maharashtra. Shiv Sena (Shinde) workers vandalised the venue, where Kamra had performed. Later, Mumbai's civic agency BMC also demolished parts of the studio, alleging illegal construction. Mumbai Police have also filed an FIR against Kamra for his comments against Shinde.
