3 more FIRs filed against comedian Kunal Kamra in Maharashtra for remarks against Eknath Shinde

Mumbai: Days after stand-up comedian Kunal Kamra courted controversy by taking a jibe at Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde, three more FIRs have been registered against him in Maharashtra. Kamra had allegedly made derogatory remarks against Shinde.

The controversy erupted when Kamra during his stand-up comedy show in Mumbai indirectly called him a “gaddar” (traitor). The fresh cases were registered in different parts of Maharashtra and, on Friday, were transferred to Khar police station for further investigation.

One of the cases has been filed based on a complaint by the Mayor of Jalgaon city, while two have been filed based on the complaints of a hotelier and a businessman from Nashik. Officials are conducting further investigation into the matter. Notably, Kunal Kamra has been called twice for questioning by the Khar Police; however, he has not appeared yet.

Moreover, a day after the controversy ignited, Kamra also refused to apologise.

Earlier, taking to X, Kamra had replied to the threats saying, “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.”

On March 27, Kunal Kamra was asked to appear by Mumbai Police on March 31 for questioning, making it the third summon in the case.

Earlier on Friday, Kunal Kamra was granted interim anticipatory bail by the Madras High Court in several complaints filed against him. He has been granted bail until April 7 with conditions.

Kamra had approached Madras High Court to seek transit anticipatory bail, claiming he had been receiving threats.

Meanwhile, Maharashtra Deputy CM Shinde, while reacting to Kamra’s remark had said earlier, “Freedom of speech is there and we understand satire, but there should be a limit.