Stand-up comedian Kunal Kamra has refused to apologise after Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis sought a retraction for his remarks against Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde. Kamra, in a statement, asserted his right to freedom of speech, while questioning the selective enforcement of the law against those who vandalised the venue where his show was filmed.
Kamra, in his statement, criticised the attack on the venue, saying, “An entertainment venue is merely a platform. A space for all sorts of shows. Habitat (or any other venue) is not responsible for my comedy, nor does it have any power or control over what I say or do. Neither does any political party.” He likened the attack to “overturning a lorry carrying tomatoes because you didn’t like the butter chicken you were served.”
My Statement – pic.twitter.com/QZ6NchIcsM
— Kunal Kamra (@kunalkamra88) March 24, 2025
Kamra also addressed threats from political leaders, stating, “Our right to freedom of speech and expression is not only to be used to fawn over the powerful and rich, even though today’s media would have us believe otherwise. Your inability to take a joke at the expense of a powerful public figure does not change the nature of my right.”
