Stand-up comedian Kunal Kamra has petitioned the Madras High Court for transit anticipatory bail following multiple FIRs filed against him over his alleged remarks about Maharashtra’s deputy chief minister.
Kamra has found himself entangled in legal proceedings after complaints accused him of making offensive statements. The FIRs, registered in Maharashtra, have led him to seek protection from arrest as he prepares to challenge the accusations.
According to social media reports, Kunal Kamra is currently hiding in Tamil Nadu ruled by DMK, an ally of the Congress.
Kunal Kamra who was born and brought up in Mumbai claimed that he is a permanent resident of Villupuram in Tamil Nadu and argued that the Madras High Court has the jurisdiction to hear his plea. According to a report by Live Law, his case was mentioned before Justice Sunder Mohan on Friday, March 28.
A Zero FIR was initially registered against him by Shiv Sena MLA Muraji Patel under Sections 353(1)(b) and 353(2) (related to public mischief) and 356(2) (concerning defamation) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS). The case was subsequently transferred to the Khar police station in Mumbai.
The controversy erupted over a parody song performed by Kamra that included the word “gaddar” (traitor). Although he did not explicitly name anyone, supporters of Eknath Shinde’s faction of Shiv Sena perceived it as an attack on their leader. This led to an angry response, with party members vandalizing the Habitat Studio in Mumbai, where Kamra had performed, and lodging a police complaint accusing him of defamation.
Fearing for his safety, Kamra refused to appear before the Mumbai police immediately, citing death threats from party workers. He requested a week’s time to comply with their summons.
In response to the unrest, Shinde stated that while he did not endorse violence by his supporters, he believed Kamra’s jokes were in poor taste. Over the weekend, his followers stormed the Habitat Studio, forcing its temporary closure. By Wednesday, the police had sealed off the venue and obscured its signage.
Shinde, who orchestrated a political rebellion in 2022 that severed ties between his faction and the Bharatiya Janata Party, later took on the role of deputy chief minister in a new administration.
Despite not being directly named in Kamra’s song, Shinde’s supporters identified him through contextual references. Several BJP leaders have since cautioned against the misuse of free speech laws.
Meanwhile, Kamra has received significant backing on social media, with his performance video garnering over six million views on YouTube and attracting more than 58,000 comments within two days. Many of his supporters have also contributed financially to express solidarity with his stand.
Kunal Kamra has frequently used his platform to criticize the BJP and its leaders. Here are some instances where he has been accused of peddling political propaganda and launching verbal attacks against the party:
1. Heckling Arnab Goswami on a Flight (2020)
Kamra confronted Republic TV’s Arnab Goswami during a flight and recorded the incident, where he repeatedly mocked and taunted Goswami. This act was seen as an extension of his broader anti-BJP stance, given that Republic TV is considered pro-BJP. Following this, Kamra was banned from flying by multiple airlines, a move that BJP leaders supported.
2. Mocking the Supreme Court Over Arnab Goswami’s Bail (2020)
After the Supreme Court granted bail to Arnab Goswami in an abetment to suicide case, Kamra tweeted a series of posts mocking the judiciary, calling it a “Supreme Joke of India.” BJP leaders and legal experts accused him of undermining the judiciary to push an anti-BJP narrative. He was later served a contempt notice by the Attorney General.
3. Defaming PM Modi and BJP Through Stand-Up Acts & Social Media
Kamra has routinely used his comedy specials and social media platforms to attack Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the BJP government. He has:
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Mocked Modi’s silence on various issues, often using sarcasm and satirical videos.
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Repeatedly shared derogatory memes and altered videos targeting BJP leaders.
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Compared Modi’s governance to dictatorial regimes, portraying India under BJP as a fascist state.
4. Fake News on the Ram Mandir Bhoomi Pujan (2020)
During the foundation stone-laying ceremony for the Ayodhya Ram Mandir, Kamra falsely claimed that the event was conducted in violation of COVID-19 norms while ignoring similar political events by opposition parties. His tweet was widely criticized as misleading and an attempt to delegitimize the temple movement, which is a major BJP achievement.
5. Defaming BJP Over Farmer Protests (2021)
During the farmers’ protest against the farm laws, Kamra amplified narratives branding BJP as “anti-farmer” and “corporate puppets,” despite the government’s claim that the reforms were aimed at agricultural growth. His tweets spread unverified claims, and he frequently attacked BJP leaders.
6. Insulting Hindutva and BJP’s Ideology
Kamra has often used his platform to equate BJP’s Hindutva ideology with extremism. He has ridiculed Hindu festivals and traditions, indirectly attacking the party’s voter base. In many of his comedy routines, he portrays BJP supporters as “blind bhakts” and labels the party as communal.
7. Recent Controversy Over Eknath Shinde and ‘Gaddar’ Song (2024)
Kamra’s latest controversy involves a parody song referring to a “gaddar” (traitor), which was interpreted as an attack on Maharashtra Deputy CM Eknath Shinde. This led to Shiv Sena (Shinde faction) workers ransacking a comedy venue. Many BJP leaders criticized Kamra for his consistent attempts to incite political outrage against the ruling party.
8. Endorsing Opposition Leaders & Political Agendas
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Kamra has praised opposition leaders like Rahul Gandhi, Arvind Kejriwal, and Kanhaiya Kumar while portraying BJP leaders as authoritarian.
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He has amplified opposition narratives on issues like the CAA, NRC, and Delhi riots while selectively ignoring facts that counter his anti-BJP stance.