Kunal Kamra moves Bombay High Court to quash FIR over Eknath Shinde remark

Stand-up comedian Kunal Kamra has approached the Bombay High Court, seeking to quash the FIR filed against him by the Mumbai Police. In his petition, Kamra has cited his fundamental rights under Articles 19 and 21 of the Constitution — the right to freedom of expression and the right to life. The matter is scheduled for hearing on the 21st of April. The case stems from a recent performance at Habitat in Mumbai, where Kamra, without naming him, referred to Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde as a "traitor", triggering controversy.

Controversial performance

The controversy began after Kamra’s show at the Habitat Comedy Club in Mumbai's Khar, where he made some statements, calling Maharashtra Deputy CM Eknath Shinde a "traitor" without naming him.Reacting to Kamra's video, Shiv Sena (Shinde) workers vandalised the venue where he had performed the gig. Shiv Sena workers also protested across Maharashtra, burning effigies of the comedian. Later, Mumbai Police also filed an FIR against Kamra.

Kamra refuses to apologise

After facing backlash for remarks made during his stand-up set, comedian Kunal Kamra had responded with a statement defending his freedom of expression. He said, “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.”Kamra, addressing political leaders targeting him, had added, “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.” He also addressed the vandalism at Habitat in his statement, writing, “Attacking a venue for a comedian’s words is as senseless as overturning a lorry carrying tomatoes because you didn’t like the butter chicken you were served.”

Every action has a reaction: Shinde

Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde had also responded to the row and had said that "every action has a reaction," in what was his first response to the controversy triggered by Kamra's comments against him.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.”