Kunal kamra controversy 2025

The Kunal Kamra controversy of 2025 erupted in March when the comedian took a dig at Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde during his stand-up show "Naya Bharat" at the Habitat Comedy Club in Mumbai’s Khar area. In the performance, Kamra presented a parody of a song from the 1997 film *Dil To Pagal Hai*, mocking Shinde by calling him a "traitor" in reference to his 2022 rebellion against Shiv Sena and the toppling of Uddhav Thackeray’s government. Within hours of the video going viral on YouTube, Shinde’s supporters from the Shiv Sena faction stormed the Habitat Club and the adjoining hotel, vandalizing the premises. Following the incident, Shinde’s Shiv Sena MLA Murji Patel filed an FIR against Kamra under Sections 353(1)(b) and 353(2) (provocation for public mischief) and Section 356(2) (defamation) of the Indian Penal Code. Mumbai Police issued a summons, asking Kamra to appear for questioning by March 31, though his lawyer’s request for a seven-day extension was denied by Khar Police. On March 28, the Madras High Court granted Kamra interim anticipatory bail as he was in Tamil Nadu at the time and feared arrest. Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis and Shinde demanded an apology from Kamra, who refused, asserting his right to freedom of expression. Fadnavis labeled it a move supported by "urban Naxalites" and "left-liberals," while Shinde remarked that "every freedom has its limits" and likened Kamra’s act to "speaking on someone’s payroll." Conversely, Shiv Sena (UBT) leaders Uddhav Thackeray and Sanjay Raut backed Kamra, calling it a reflection of public sentiment and accusing the government of intolerance. On March 26, Kamra released another parody song, "Aapka Tax Ka Paisa Ho Raha Hai Hawa Hawaai," targeting Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman and the BJP. T-Series issued a copyright claim on the video, to which Kamra responded that parody and satire fall under "fair use." Meanwhile, the BMC partially demolished the Habitat Club, citing illegal construction, and a case was also filed against Shiv Sena workers for the vandalism. The controversy sparked a nationwide debate on freedom of expression and the boundaries of political satire in India. By March 29, three more FIRs had been lodged against Kamra, but he remained defiant. Social media saw a mix of support and backlash for his remarks. As of March 31, 2025, the matter remains under investigation.