A First Information Report (FIR) has been filed against Kunal Kamra, Congress MP Rahul Gandhi and Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Aaditya Thackeray and Sanjay Raut for the comedian’s joke on Maharashtra Deputy CM Eknath Shinde. Kamra during a stand-up comedy show at ‘The Habitat Comedy’ club in Mumbai’s Khar area used ‘Dil To Pagal Hai’ song and called Shinde ‘traitor’ while referring to the politician’s 2022 rebellion.
He did not name Eknath Shinde but his song talked about changing party, taking leaders with them – everything that happened in 2022 that led to the division in Shiv Sena.
#BREAKING || F.I.R filed against #KunalKamra over his ‘joke’ on Eknath Shinde.
The complainant alleges that this is part of a larger conspiracy to malign Eknath Shinde’s image: @Prathibhatweets takes us through the F.I.R copy accessed by TIMES NOW. pic.twitter.com/Z0wFqVY0ga
— TIMES NOW (@TimesNow) March 24, 2025
Rahool Kanal, Shiv Sena Yuva Sena General Secretary accused Kunal Kamra a “self-proclaimed” comedian, adding that he along with “Mr. Aaditya Thackeray, Mr. Rahul Gandhi, and Mr. Sanjay Raut”were allegedly involved in “pre-planned criminal conspiracy and a systematic paid campaign” to malign the reputation, image, and goodwill of the Eknath Shinde.
“The acts committed by Mr. Kunal Kamra, including making statements that hurt public sentiments, utter obscene words, and make defamatory insinuations and innuendos targeting Shri Eknath Shinde, are not only offensive but also unlawful under the provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS). 2023,” he said in the complaint.
#WATCH | Thane, Maharashtra: Members of Yuva Sena (youth wing of Shiv Sena) staged a protest against comedian Kunal Kamra and even burnt his photographs outside Wagle Estate Police Station, after his remarks against Maharashtra DCM Eknath Shinde in a show yesterday. (23.03)… pic.twitter.com/4l3g9Gu0S0
— ANI (@ANI) March 24, 2025
“While constructive criticism of public figures is always welcomed, such close, demeaning, and defamatory statements go beyond reasonable limits and constitute cognizable criminal offences. I seek your immediate intervention to investigate and take appropriate legal action against the accused,” Kanal added.
Meanwhile, a case has also been filed against several Shiv Sena leaders for vandalising the set of the comedy club where the show took place. The party workers were seen throwing chairs and breaking articles inside the club. A Shiv Sena MP also threatened the comedian saying that Kamra would not be able to go anywhere in the country.
“Kunal Kamra is a hired comedian, and he is making comments on our leader for some money. Let alone Maharashtra, Kunal Kamra cannot freely go anywhere in India, Shiv Sainiks will show him his place. We feel sorry for Sanjay Raut and Shiv Sena (UBT) that they have no party workers or leaders left to make comments on our leader, which is why they are hiring people like him (Kunal Kamra) for the job…” MP Naresh Mhaske said.