Page 2 - Kunal Kamra

Maha Legislative Council admits breach of privilege notice against Kamra

The Maharashtra legislative council has admitted a breach of privilege notice against stand-up comedian Kunal Kamra for allegedly insulting Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde during a recent performance. Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Sushma Andhare has also been named in the notice. Maharashtra legislative council chairman Ram Shinde told PTI on Thursday he has accepted a privilege notice against Kunal Kamra over the 'traitor' jibe and had forwarded it to the Privileges Committee. The controversy stems from Kamra's recent show at the Habitat Comedy Club in Khar, where he performed a parody song targeting Eknath Shinde. The act prompted a backlash from Shiv Sena supporters, who vandalised the club and the hotel in which it is located on Sunday night. "I have accepted the notice of breach of privilege against Kunal Kamra and Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Sushma Andhare and have sent it to Privilege Committee chairman Prasad Lad. The future course of action regarding the motion will be decided by

Vaishnaw justifies police action against stand-up comedian Kunal Kamra

Union minister Ashwini Vaishnaw on Thursday justified the summons issued to stand-up comedian Kunal Kamra for references to Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde, asserting that it should be done if it is required by the law of the land. Kamra kicked up a major political storm in Maharashtra by making caustic remarks against Shinde, who heads the Shiv Sena, in his show recorded at a studio in Mumbai a few days ago. Vaishnaw, the Information and Broadcasting Minister, was speaking at an interactive session at the Times Now Summit here. "If the law of the land requires it, it should be done," he said when asked if summoning of Kamra by the police was "too extreme" an action. Vaishnaw said while the Constitution granted citizens certain rights, they were accompanied by some safeguards. "We have to work within the framework of the Constitution as a society. Freedom of speech and expression is well laid out. Everybody respects it. The Constitution has also laid certain safegu

Maharashtra govt summons Kamra, remains silent on Solapurkar, says Uddhav

Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray on Thursday said the Maharashtra government summoned comedian Kunal Kamra for insulting a "traitor", but took no action against actor Rahul Solapurkar over his 'insult' of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj. Speaking to reporters a day after the Budget session of the state legislature ended, he also criticised the BJP over its outreach programme for Muslim families 'Saugat-e-Modi'. "You summon Kunal Kamra twice for insulting a traitor, but do not summon Rahul Solapurkar even once," Thackeray said. Kamra, whose parody song targeting Maharashtra deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde led to an attack by Shinde supporters on a studio here on Sunday, has been summoned by Mumbai Police. Shiv Sena (UBT) has often used the term 'traitor' for Shinde, who rebelled against Thackeray and split the party in 2022. Solapurkar recently came under fire after stating in a podcast that Shivaji Maharaj, the 17th century Maratha warrior king, escaped from Agra Fort by ...

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Breach of privilege notice filed against Kunal Kamra in Maharashtra council

A breach of privilege notice was moved against stand-up comedian Kunal Kamra in the Maharashtra legislative council on Wednesday over his parody song targeting deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde. BJP legislator Pravin Darekar moved the notice against the comedian as well as Shiv Sena (UBT) spokesperson Sushma Andhare. "Kunal Kamra performed a song containing personal and insulting references to deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde," said Darekar, leader of the legislative council, presenting the motion. "Andhare supported the performance and used objectionable language, which amounts to contempt of the House," he further said. Both Kamra and Andhare disrespected the dignity of legislative institutions through their remarks, Darekar claimed. The notice will have to be approved by Council chairman Ram Shinde before it is presented to the privilege committee. If the committee approves it, the motion will be discussed in the House. In the state assembly, Shiv Sena MLA Ramesh Bornare

Kunal Kamra's video gets copyright strike on YouTube, he blames T-Series

In a social media post, Kunal Kamra defended his work as legally protected under fair use, emphasising that parody and satire should not be silenced

Mumbai police reject Kunal Kamra's extension plea, may issue fresh summons

Kunal Kamra's lawyer submitted his appeal and the reply in person at the Khar Police Station, which was turned down

Kamra row: Saamana cites PM Modi's take on Shinde supporters' vandalism

Citing Prime Minister Modi's comment that "criticism is the soul of democracy", the Shiv Sena (UBT) on Wednesday questioned the "extreme response" provoked by comedian Kunal Kamra's jokes targeting Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde. An editorial in the Sena (UBT) mouthpiece 'Saamana' said Kamra's parody song had merely pointed to the rebellion led by Shinde against Uddhav Thackeray's leadership in 2022 and that it was an "old wine in a new bottle", yet the deputy CM's supporters vandalised a studio in Mumbai on Sunday. Notably, the rebellion had led to a split in the Shiv Sena and collapse of the Thackeray-led Maha Vikas Aghadi government in the state in 2022. Shinde then joined hands with the BJP and formed government. The editorial in Saamana said 40 MLAs in Maharashtra had defected, leading to the formation of an "extra-constitutional" government. The episode was widely publicised, culminating in a legal battle in the Supreme Court, it pointed out. "Slogans about .

Priyank Kharge backs Kamra, says free speech is foundation of democracy

Karnataka Minister for Electronics, IT/BT, and Rural Development & Panchayat Raj, Priyank Kharge, voiced his support for stand-up comedian Kunal Kamra.Kharge on social media platform X, condemned attempts to suppress dissent and reiterated the significance of free speech in a democratic society.In his post, Kharge wrote, "No matter how many attempts are made to suppress dissent, the very foundation of our democracy is built on the right to speak, question, and challenge those in power. True patriotism isn't about blind obedience; it's about holding the government accountable."Kharge emphasized the importance of resistance in a democracy, stating that while authority may try to suppress it, the spirit of democracy ensures that these voices only grow louder."While authority may try to stifle the sound of resistance, the spirit of democracy ensures that every suppressed voice echoes louder than before," he added.He also highlighted the role of the Constitution in protecting ...

Kunal Kamra gets notice over anti-Shinde remarks; seeks 1 week to appear

The Mumbai Police have issued a notice to stand-up comedian Kunal Kamra in connection with a case filed for allegedly making derogatory remarks against Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde, officials said on Tuesday. Kamra has been asked to appear before the Khar police in connection with the case registered against him, an official said. "We have issued an initial notice to Kamra as a probe has been started into the case against him," the official said without giving more details. While the official did not disclose when Kamra, accused of making defamatory remarks against Shinde, has been summoned, sources said the comic has sought one week's time to appear before police. The 36-year-old stand-up comedian has kicked up a major political storm in Maharashtra for taking a jibe at Shiv Sena leader Shinde's political career in his show. Kamra had performed a parody of a popular Hindi song from the 1997 film "Dil Toh Pagal Hai," apparently referring to Shinde as a "gaddar"

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Kunal Kamra summoned, US-Yemen strikes, Delhi budget, Google tax removed & more

The Lok Sabha today passed the Finance Bill, 2025, incorporating 35 government amendments. Notably, one amendment scraps the 6% 'Google tax' on foreign tech firms' online ads starting April 1, 2025.

'There could be repercussions for what you say': Kangana on Kamra show row

Disgracing anyone in the name of comedy is in bad taste, actor and MP Kangana Ranaut said on Tuesday as she weighed in on the ongoing controversy over comic Kunal Kamra's remarks on Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde's political career. Ranaut, a BJP MP from Himachal Pradesh's Mandi, was speaking to reporters outside the Parliament here. "You may be anyone but disrespecting anyone (is not good). You are disgracing someone in the name of comedy, you are disregarding what all he has done. Shinde ji used to drive an auto rickshaw a while ago. "Today he has made it till here on his own. What are his (Kamra's) credentials? Who are these people who haven't done anything in life? If they can write, I'd say write literature or comedy scenes in films. Abusing in the name of comedy, mocking our scriptures in the name of comedy, making fun of people, mothers and sisters (is not right)," Ranaut said. Kamra recently performed a parody of a popular Hindi song from the film "Dil Toh

Mumbai Police issue notice to Kamra for 'derogatory' remarks against Shinde

The Mumbai Police have issued a notice to stand-up comedian Kunal Kamra in connection with a case for allegedly making derogatory remarks against Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde, officials said on Tuesday. Kamra has been asked to appear before the Khar police here in connection with the case registered against him, an official said. "We have issued an initial notice to Kamra as a probe has been started into the case against him," the official said without giving more details. The 36-year-old stand-up comedian has kicked up a major political storm in Maharashtra for taking a jibe at Shiv Sena leader Shinde's political career in his show. Kamra had performed a parody of a popular Hindi song from the film "Dil Toh Pagal Hai," apparently referring to Shinde as a "gaddar" (traitor). He also made jokes about recent political developments in Maharashtra, including the Shiv Sena and NCP splits. On Sunday night, Shiv Sena members damaged the Habitat Comedy Club in Mumbai's

Eknath Shinde says Kamra's remark driven by agenda: 'Job done for money'

Maharashtra Deputy CM Eknath Shinde calls Kunal Kamra's act 'a hit job done for money', condemns misuse of free speech

Comedian Kamra booked for comments on Shinde; 12 held for ransacking venue

Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar said no one should violate the law and the Constitution and must keep a check on what they say

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Kunal Kamra row: As Habitat Studio shuts, a look at similar past attacks

Mumbai's Habitat Studio shut after vandalism by Shiv Sena workers allegedly over a joke on Maharashtra Deputy CM Eknath Shinde. Here's a look at other past attacks involving art shows and exhibitions

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The central government has increased salaries, allowances, and pensions of MPs and former MPs, effective from 1st April, marking the first revision since 2018.

Studio at centre of Kunal Kamra controversy checked by Mumbai's civic body

The studio in Khar in which stand-up comedian Kunal Kamra filmed his show containing the controversial "traitor" jibe at Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde was on Monday demolished by Mumbai's civic body for alleged building violations. The action by the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation came a day after Habitat studio and Unicontinental hotel where it is located were ransacked late Sunday night by irate Shiv Sainiks. The temporary shed and other structures comprising the studio, which was created in the basement of the hotel, has been razed, a civic official said. "It was removed as there is no civic permission to create a studio in the basement. The BMC will check the hotel to see if everything is as per the allowed plan," the official said. Earlier in the day, Habitat Studio announced they were shutting down after Shiv Sena workers vandalised its premises. In an Instagram post, the studio said, "We are shocked, worried and extremely broken by the recent acts of ..