Bharatiya Janata Party MP and actor Kangana Ranaut on Tuesday lashed out at comedian Kunal Kamra over his ‘traitor’ joke aimed at Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde.
Disgracing anyone in the name of comedy is in bad taste, she said while talking to reporters outside the Parliament.
“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.
Ranaut added, “These people call themselves influencers. Where is society headed for this 2-minute fame? We need to think about this. Like (Devendra) Fadnavis ji said we have to take some responsibility for what we say. There could be repercussions. Would you stand by that when you are questioned legally?”
‘Demolition at Mumbai venue legal’
Defending the demolition inside the premises of the comedy club where Kamra’s show was filmed, Ranaut said it was done legally. The actor also said it was wrong to compare the incident at the comedy club with the demolition of her Mumbai office by the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) back in the 2020 incident following her spat with the Shiv Sena-led Maharashtra government.
“(Demolition of my office) was a completely illegal activity, this is absolutely legal. They can’t be clubbed together,” she added.
Shiv Sena members had vanadalised The Habitat Studio in Mumbai’s Khar area, as well as a hotel in whose premises the club is located, on Sunday night. Subsequently, 11 Sena leaders were booked and arrested.
What the Kamra controversy is
Kamra recently 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.
Kamra on Monday released a statement on his official social media handle saying that he would “not apologise” for his act.
Earlier, Mumbai Police sent a summon to standup artist Kunal Kamra, asking him to appear before the investigating officer at 11 am today. As per Mumbai police, Kamra is not in Mumbai right now.
The MIDC police had registered an FIR against Kamra for his remarks, which was transferred to Khar police for further investigation.
(With inputs from agencies)
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