New Delhi: In the ongoing line on the recent comments of Stand-up comedian Kunal Kamra, many political figures, including Samajwadi Party (SP) MP Jaya Bachchan and Shiv Sena (UBT) MPs, have come forward to protect the expression of Kamra’s freedom and criticize the actions of those who used to kill Mumbai.
Talking to the Mediaperson in the Parliament complex, Jaya Bachchan questioned the boundaries on freedom of expression in the country.
Reacting to the Comedy Club controversy and barbarity, the actor-can-manner said, “If there is a restriction on speaking, you will be in a bad state anyway. You are in a bad state. You are banned. You will be asked to speak on it and nothing else, not to interview Jaya Bakan.”
He said, “Where is the freedom to speak? There is freedom of action only when there is an uproar – defeated the opposition, raped women. And what? You (Eknath Shinde) left your real party and formed another party for power. Is this not an insult to Balasaheb?”
Meanwhile, Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Arvind Sawant came out to protect Kunal Kamra, claiming that every comment made by the comedian in Naya India was accurate.
Talking to ANI, Sawant insisted, “As far as Kunal Kamra did, I think every word, every word, every sentence said by him is correct.
Sawant, compared to further, referred to the legacy of the late Shiv Sena founder Balasaheb Thakere as a cartoonist, which often created caricatures of major political figures.
“Criticism is criticism. Sometimes, someone mimics. Balasaheb Thackeray was a famous cartoonist; he made Caricatures of Sharad Pawar, Sonia Gandhi, Indira Gandhi, and Nehru.
Sawant also called for action against those responsible for the barbarity of the Habitat Comedy Club in Khar, Mumbai, where Kamra’s show was shot.
“The FIR should be registered against those who vandalized … can they not accept criticism?” Sawant questioned.
Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Priyanka Chaturvedi also condemned vandalism, calling it an example of increasing intolerance in the country.
“They ignited such a fire in Nagpur. They are now doing this in Mumbai. What kind of intolerance is this? If you don’t like anything, file a police complaint, but if there is such behavior, then I think people of Mumbai are watching; Maharashtra is watching how the law and order is being taken, and how they are stopping the Huliganism.
He also stated that the dispute was more than a joke which did not directly mention the name of the Deputy Chief Minister, but indicated on it.
He said, “They are threatening to a joke where the name of Eknath Shinde was not even mentioned; only the intelligent would have received the signal,” he said.
According to Chaturvedi, the reaction to Kamra’s joke only reflected the inherent truth in her comment.
The incident of the Habitat Comedy Club in Mumbai increased when a group of Shiv Sena (Eknath Shinde) entered a group of youth wing, while another live show was running, forced to shut down the show, and caused significant damage to the set.
Since then, an FIR has been filed against both Kunal Kamra for their controversial remarks and barbarity against Shiv Sena’s youth wing.
According to Khar Police Station Sub Inspector Vijay, the group targeted the venue after Kamra’s stand-up special Naya was released.
The actions of the Shiv Sena Youth Wing have created important debate about the boundaries of protest and the right to free expression.
