Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde compared comedian Kunal Kamra’s remarks to taking a “supari” (contract) to criticise someone, warning that a lack of decorum in political jibes provokes backlash.
"Freedom of speech is there, but there should be a limit," Shinde said Monday, reacting to Kamra’s comments.
The 36-year-old stand-up comedian sparked controversy after lampooning Shinde’s political career during his show. Kamra, who parodied a popular Hindi song from the film Dil Toh Pagal Hai, allegedly referred to Shinde as a "gaddar" (traitor) and mocked recent political developments in Maharashtra, including splits in the Shiv Sena and the Nationalist Congress Party.
On Sunday night, Shiv Sena members vandalised the Habitat Comedy Club in Mumbai’s Khar area, where Kamra’s show was held, as well as a hotel in which the club is located.
"Freedom of speech is there. We understand satire. But there should be a limit. This is like taking ‘supari’ to speak against someone,” Shinde said at a BBC Marathi event. He added that those responsible for the vandalism should also maintain a certain level of decorum. “Otherwise, action causes reaction,” he warned.
Shinde also noted that Kamra had previously targeted the Supreme Court, the Prime Minister, journalist Arnab Goswami, and several industrialists, suggesting that such comments were not an exercise in free speech but rather a service to someone.
Kamra has since said he will not apologise for his controversial comments about Shinde, and he criticised the vandalism at the Mumbai venue.