Amid the ongoing controversy over comedian Kunal Kamra’s remarks about Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde, Deputy CM Ajit Pawar on Monday called for restraint and urged all parties to stay within legal and constitutional boundaries.
“Nobody should go beyond the law, the Constitution, and rules. People should express themselves within their rights,” Pawar told the media.
Acknowledging that differences of opinion are natural, he emphasized that political or public debates should not escalate to a point where police intervention becomes necessary.
Meanwhile, Shiv Sena leader Shaina NC criticized Kamra, accusing him of crossing the line into vulgarity under the guise of comedy.
“You call Maharashtra’s most popular CM and Deputy CM ‘gaddaar’ (traitor) and call it comedy. This isn’t comedy—it’s vulgarity,” she said, questioning Kamra’s intentions and political affiliations. She alleged that Kamra was being used as a puppet by the Uddhav Balasaheb Thackeray (UBT) faction of the Shiv Sena.
“Who is this Kunal Kamra, hired and used by UBT as a diversionary tactic? Can you stoop so low for cheap publicity?” she added.
Shiv Sena MLA Murji Patel has filed an FIR against Kunal Kamra over his comments, demanding a public apology within two days. Patel warned that if Kamra failed to comply, he would not be allowed to move freely in Mumbai.
The controversy escalated further when Shiv Sena workers vandalized the Habitat Comedy Club in Khar on Sunday, following Kamra’s remarks about Eknath Shinde.
Shiv Sena MP Naresh Mhaske also slammed Kamra, alleging that the comedian was being paid to target Eknath Shinde.
“Kunal Kamra is a hired comedian making comments about our leader for money. Forget Maharashtra, Kamra won’t be able to move freely anywhere in India—Shiv Sainiks will show him his place,” Mhaske declared.
Mhaske further mocked the UBT faction of Shiv Sena, claiming that Sanjay Raut and his party had no genuine supporters left, forcing them to “hire” people like Kamra to attack Shinde.
The incident has sparked a wider debate on freedom of speech, political retaliation, and the role of satire in public discourse. With FIRs filed against both Kamra and the Shiv Sena youth wing, tensions continue to mount in Maharashtra’s political and artistic circles.
