March26, 2025: Mumbai – The ongoing controversy surrounding stand-up comedian Kunal Kamra’s viral “gaddar” (traitor) joke is set to escalate as Mumbai Police are preparing to issue a second summon, demanding his appearance before an investigating officer. The summon, expected to be issued on Wednesday, follows a previous request Kamra made through his lawyer to appear a week later, which the police rejected. This summons comes in response to a case filed against the comedian for a joke that allegedly targeted Maharashtra’s Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde.
Kunal Kamra‘s joke, which quickly went viral on social media, ignited heated reactions across Maharashtra, particularly from the Shiv Sena faction aligned with Shinde. The comedian’s comment, which many saw as mocking Shinde’s political role, led to protests and vandalism at the venue where Kamra performed. In a dramatic turn, Shiv Sena workers reportedly attacked the Habitat Studio in Mumbai’s Khar locality. The situation took a legal turn when the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) demolished part of the studio’s structure, citing alleged construction irregularities. However, sources suggest the BMC only acted after the controversy surrounding the comedian’s show, raising suspicions that the demolition was politically motivated.
Mumbai Police Rejects Kunal Kamra’s Delay Request, Issues New Summon for “Gaddar” Joke
The Mumbai Police’s decision to move forward with the second summon, reportedly under Section 35 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), shows a firm stance in their investigation. While Kamra has expressed willingness to cooperate with the authorities, his legal team had requested a postponement of his appearance by a week. This request, however, was turned down.
Meanwhile, the Shiv Sena (UBT) publication, ‘Saamana,’ has criticized the government’s harsh response to Kamra’s joke, highlighting Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s earlier remarks that “criticism is the soul of democracy.” The editorial in the Marathi publication suggested that Kamra’s comedy was no different from other political satire but accused the government of overreacting. It pointed out that the parody was a rehashed criticism of political corruption, making the response from the Devendra Fadnavis-led government appear exaggerated.
Moreover, ‘Saamana’ raised questions about the role of Fadnavis as the home minister, suggesting that his handling of the incident had been inadequate. The editorial took aim at the BMC’s actions, alleging that the demolition of Habitat Studio’s construction was a politically motivated response, orchestrated to target Kamra for his remarks. “Instead of addressing the real issues, the government is pressuring Kamra to apologize to Shinde, implying that freedom of expression is being stifled in the state,” it read.
The entire controversy began when Kunal Kamra’s video, which was posted on Sunday, gained viral attention. His satirical take on political corruption and Shinde’s role sparked a wave of reactions, leading to protests by Shiv Sena workers at the venue. What followed was the vandalization of the venue and the BMC’s intervention in demolishing part of the studio. It seems the battle over this political joke is far from over, as the comedian faces increased scrutiny and the government grapples with the implications for free speech.
This escalating drama in Maharashtra is serving as a flashpoint for the larger debate about freedom of speech in India, particularly within the realm of political satire. Kamra’s case is quickly becoming emblematic of the ongoing tensions between political leaders, public figures, and the state’s response to criticism.
