Thane: In a swift response to alleged defamatory comments, Thane police have registered a First Information Report (FIR) against stand-up comedian Kunal Kamra. The case, filed on Monday at Dombivli police station, stems from Kamra’s recent performance where he reportedly made contentious remarks about Maharashtra’s Deputy Chief Minister and Shiv Sena leader Eknath Shinde.
The controversy erupted after Kamra’s show at a Mumbai hotel studio, where he allegedly referred to Shinde as a “traitor,” seemingly alluding to the 2022 Shiv Sena split. This provocative jibe, coupled with a parody song, sparked outrage among Shiv Sena supporters, leading to the vandalism of the performance venue on Sunday.
According to police officials, a Shiv Sena functionary filed the complaint after encountering the controversial video clip online. The FIR charges Kamra under section 356(2) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, which pertains to defamation.
This incident has triggered a series of legal actions. Mumbai Police have separately booked Kamra based on a complaint by a Shiv Sena MLA, issuing a notice for his personal appearance. In a related development, authorities have also registered a case against 40 Shiv Sena workers for vandalizing the Habitat studio in Khar. Twelve of these individuals were arrested on Monday but later released on bail by a local court.
The escalating situation highlights the tension between artistic expression and political sensitivities in the region, drawing attention to the broader debate on free speech and its limits in the context of public figures and political discourse.
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