Maharashtra To Probe Kunal Kamra’s Finances, Call Records As Stand-Up Row Escalates

Maharashtra's Minister of State (MoS) for Home, Yogesh Kadam, announced on Monday that the state government will examine stand-up comedian Kunal Kamra's phone records and financial dealings.

Kamra has found himself embroiled in controversy due to his comments targeting Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde.

Photo Credit: https://x.com/kunalkamra88

The minister revealed that an investigation into Kamra will be launched to uncover whether "any mastermind" is orchestrating his actions.

During a performance at the Habitat Studio, located within the Unicontinental Hotel in Mumbai's Khar district, Kunal Kamra branded Shinde a "traitor". He also adapted a Hindi film song to mock Shinde's 2022 revolt against his former leader, Uddhav Thackeray.

Following the release of the show's video on YouTube, a group of Shiv Sena activists stormed the studio on Sunday night and trashed it.

Mumbai Police arrested 11 members of the Shiv Sena youth wing, Yuva Sena, for their role in vandalising the Habitat comedy club, where the stand-up event took place.

Shiv Sena youth wing (Shinde faction) General Secretary Rahool Kanal, who faces an FIR over the vandalism, claimed Kamra's performance was a "paid conspiracy."

Kanal argued it was a matter of self-respect and disrespecting elders, warning, "The message (for Kunal Kamra) is clear, 'Abhi tak toh ye trailer hai, picture abhi baki hai.' Whenever you are in Mumbai, you will get a good lesson in Shiv Sena style."

Eknath Shinde split the Shiv Sena in 2022, toppling the Uddhav Thackeray-led Maharashtra Vikas Aghadi (MVA) government. The Election Commission of India (ECI) later recognised his faction as the official Shiv Sena, granting it the party name and election symbol.

How other leaders reacted

While the ruling Mahayuti alliance-comprising the BJP and Shiv Sena-denounced Kamra's alleged remarks and hinted at a conspiracy, the opposition Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) rallied behind his constitutional rights to free speech and expression.

Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis stated that Kunal Kamra had insulted Eknath Shinde with his comments and should apologise for his "low-level comedy".

"We respect freedom of expression, but recklessness will not be tolerated," he said. The CM added that in 2024, the voters determined who the true Sena leader is.

"Kamra should apologise for his low-level comedy. You can have satire but not insult anyone," he further remarked.

Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar also weighed in, urging people to stay within legal limits.

"I have seen that. Nobody should go beyond the law, Constitution, and rules. They should express themselves within their rights," Pawar told the press. He acknowledged that differing opinions exist but stressed they shouldn't escalate tensions.

Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Uddhav Thackeray backed Kamra, asserting there was nothing wrong with labelling a "traitor" a "gaddar".

"I don't think Kunal Kamra said anything wrong. Calling 'gaddar', a 'gaddar' is not an attack on anyone...Hear the full song (from Kunal Kamra's show) and make others hear it too," Uddhav Thackeray said.

NCP-SCP MLA Rohit Pawar commented that the pre-2014 era of free expression for comedians is gone and called on leaders to instil some sense in their party workers.