Mumbai Police has issued a third summon to comedian Kunal Kamra in connection with his parody video mocking Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde. Kamra, who failed to appear for questioning after two previous summons, has been asked to report to the police on April 5.
Earlier today, Kamra, who recently stirred controversy with his stand-up comedy, secured anticipatory bail from the Madras High Court until April 7. As a resident of Tamil Nadu, Kamra has expressed his intention to cooperate with the investigation but has repeatedly stated that he does not regret or intend to apologize for his remarks.
The controversy began when Kamra released a parody video on March 23, which featured a reworked version of a song from the 1997 Bollywood film Dil Toh Pagal Hai. The video targeted Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde and sparked significant backlash, including protests by Shiv Sena workers who vandalized the venue. The incident also led to the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) demolishing parts of the Habitat studio.
An FIR was filed against Kamra on March 24 after Shiv Sena MLA Murji Patel lodged a complaint. Three separate cases were subsequently registered at Khar police station, with complaints from the Mayor of Jalgaon, a hotelier, and a businessman from Nashik.
In response to the ongoing legal matters, Kamra defended his actions, asserting that making fun of public figures is not unlawful. "Your inability to take a joke at the expense of a powerful public figure does not change the nature of my right," he said in a statement.
As the case progresses, Kamra’s supporters have rallied behind his right to free expression, while critics continue to call for accountability over his controversial remarks.
(This story is published from a syndicated feed)