‘There should be a restrict’: Eknath Shinde hits out at Kunal Kamra amid ‘gaddar’ joke row | India News

NEW DELHI: Maharashtra deputy chief minister Eknath Shinde reacted to comic Kunal Kamra‘s “gaddar” joke and stated there should be a “limit” to freedom of speech.
“Freedom of speech is there. We understand satire. But there should be a limit. This is like taking ‘supari’ (contract) to speak against someone,” he stated at a BBC Marathi occasion.
Responding to the vandalism of Habitat Studio by the Shiv Sena employees, Shinde stated, “The other person should also maintain certain level, otherwise, action causes reaction.”
“This same person (Kamra) had commented on the Supreme Court of India, the prime minister, (journalist) Arnab Goswami and some industrialists. This is not freedom of speech; this is working for someone,” he added.
This got here after Kamra refused to apologize for his jokes, apparently made at the deputy CM, that brought on large political uproar in Maharashtra on Monday.
“I will not apologise,” Kamra stated, taking intention at the “mob and politicians”.
“Our right to freedom of speech and expression is not only to be used to fawn over the powerful and rich even though today’s media would have us believe otherwise,” he added.

What sparked the controversy?

The controversy erupted when Kamra parodied a well-liked tune from Dil Toh Pagal Hai, labeling Eknath Shinde a “gaddar” (traitor), triggering protests and vandalism by Shinde-led Sena employees.
“Meri nazar se tum dekho to gaddar nazar wo aaye. Haaye,” Kunal Kamra said during his show.
“Shiv Sena first got here out of the BJP, then Shiv Sena got here out of Shiv Sena. NCP got here out of NCP, they gave 9 buttons to at least one voter… everybody received confused,” he added.
The joke drew a sharp response from Shiv Sena (Shinde faction) workers who went on to vandalise Habitat Studio, the venue where Kamra performed.

What were the repercussions?

An FIR was registered against Kamra and Khar Police issued summons to him.
Additionally, 12 Shinde-led Shiv Sena workers were arrested and case was registered against 40 for vandalising the Studio.
Later, the BMC officials reached the venue to demolish the illegal portion of the Studio. The owners, however, requested for time to dismantle it themselves, an official said.

Habitat Studio decided to temporarily shut down saying, “We are shocked, fearful and very damaged by the latest acts of vandalism focusing on us.” It also distanced itself from Kamra’s creative choices and said, “The Habitat will not be concerned within the making of the latest video of Kunal Kamra and it doesn’t endorse the views expressed by it.”

How did the Maharashtra govt and the opposition react?

Following the uproar, the Maharashtra government and the opposition engaged in war of words, with the former slamming Kamra and the latter defending him.
Demanding an apology from the comedian, Maharashtra CM Devendra Fadnavis vowed to take “strictest doable motion”.
“Kamra’s intention was to belittle Shinde within the eyes of the folks. The opposition is supporting such a speak and one wonders whether or not Kamra is hand-in-glove with the opposition. He has posted a image of himself with a pink copy of the Constitution guide which Rahul Gandhi carries,” Fadnavis said.
“When you assault the liberty of others, your freedom is restricted. If you insult folks on constitutional posts to create disturbances by taking supari (contract) to get publicity, it won’t be tolerated. No one will object to stand-up comedy and satire. If we behave recklessly within the garb of freedom of speech and expression, it won’t be tolerated. Strict motion will be taken as per regulation,” the CM said.
Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackery expressed his support for Kamra and said, “Kamra merely expressed his views. He said the info and voiced the general public opinion.”
“Kamra hasn’t executed something improper…These traitors do not see Solapurkar and Koratkar who insulted Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj,” he added.

How did Kamra react?

The comedian refused to apologise and said that he did not “concern the mob”.
“I cannot apologise. What I stated is precisely what Mr. Ajit Pawar (1st deputy CM) stated about Mr. Eknath Shinde (2nd Deputy CM). I do not concern this mob & I cannot be hiding underneath my mattress, ready for this to die down,” he stated.