Indian stand-up comedian Kunal Kamra is under police scrutiny for a performance that is alleged to have criticized Eknath Shinde, a key politician and ally of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, sparking a debate about free speech in the world’s largest democracy.
Kamra, known for his criticism of Modi, responded defiantly, stating, “I don’t fear this mob, and I will not be hiding under my bed, waiting for this to die down,” after accusations that his parody song about a “traitor” referred to Shinde. Though the song did not directly identify anyone, it angered Shinde’s supporters in the hardline Hindu nationalist Shiv Sena party, who vandalized the performance venue and filed complaints with the police.
Kamra, with over 6 million followers on social media, refused to appear before the police in Mumbai, citing death threats from party members and requesting a week’s delay. Police did not respond to requests for comment on the investigation.
Shinde, the deputy chief minister of Maharashtra, distanced himself from the violence but criticized Kamra’s jokes as poor taste. His supporters took offense at the song, interpreting its references as aimed at Shinde.
A police presence was observed at the Habitat studio, which Kamra performed at, with its signage covered. Kamra’s parody video gained more than 6 million views and drew over 58,000 comments in just two days, with many viewers donating money in support of his stance.
Kamra, no stranger to controversy, has faced multiple criminal cases and was banned by an airline in 2020 after heckling a journalist linked to the BJP. The growing popularity of stand-up comedy in urban India has made such ridicule of prominent figures a target for hardline groups. Last month, India’s Supreme Court ordered a prominent podcaster to halt shows after he faced obscenity charges for a comedy act.
