“Jaya Bachchan Stands by Kunal Kamra Amid Eknath Shinde Controversy: ‘What Will Happen to You?’”

This ongoing dispute has sparked discussions about the concept of freedom of expression, with numerous opposition figures, including Shiv Sena UBT leader Uddhav Thackeray and Congress’s Nana Patole, rallying behind Kamra.

“If there are limitations on your ability to speak, what will happen to you? You already find yourself in a precarious situation. There are restrictions placed upon you. You will be told to speak only on specific topics, that Jaya Bachchan is off-limits for interviews,” Jaya Bachchan remarked to reporters outside parliament.

What did Kunal Kamra state?

Chaos ensued when Kunal Kamra, in an episode of ‘Naya Bharat,’ used a twist on a Hindi song from the movie Dil Toh Pagal Hai to label Eknath Shinde as a gaddar, referring to his 2022 rebellion against Uddhav Thackeray.

Kamra’s ‘gaddar’ comment was a pointed reference to Eknath Shinde’s break from Uddhav Thackeray to establish a splinter group of Shiv Sena.

The backlash from Kunal Kamra’s statements ignited fury among Shiv Sena activists, leading many, including leader Rahul Kanal, to vandalize Mumbai’s Habitat studio, where Kamra’s performance was recorded.

Uddhav Thackeray speaks out: ‘Labeling a gaddar isn’t an attack’

In response to the vandalism carried out by the Shiv Sena (Shinde) faction, Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray asserted, “I don’t believe Kunal Kamra did anything wrong.”

He further stated, “Describing a ‘gaddar’ as a ‘gaddar’ is not an assault on anyone,” adding that those who possess “‘gaddari’ in their essence can never consider themselves a Shiv Sainik.”

Nana Patole from Congress backs Kunal Kamra

Congress MLA Nana Patole also expressed his support for Kunal Kamra, commenting: “The government calls for tranquility in the state, yet they engage in vandalism of this nature. Their aim is to bring chaos to Maharashtra.”

Kunal Kamra’s remarks deemed ‘entirely accurate’

Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Arvind Sawant defended Kunal Kamra, asserting that the comments made by the comedian in his comedy special, Naya Bharat, were indeed correct.

“Regarding what Kunal Kamra expressed, I believe every word and every line he delivered is accurate. That is the stance of everyone in the opposition against him. He articulated that sentiment through a poem. If we maintain that democracy exists in this country and we stand by that belief, we must allow for such expressions,” Arvind Sawant added during a press interaction.