No remorse: Kunal Kamra refuses to apologise before panel for Eknath Shinde joke

The controversy dates back to a performance last year in which Kunal Kamra referred to Eknath Shinde as a "traitor" over his 2022 rebellion that split the Shiv Sena led by Uddhav Thackeray.

In Short

• Kunal Kamra refuses to apologise for jokes on Deputy CM Eknath Shinde
• Privileges committee questioned Kamra over breach of privilege notice
• Kamra cites freedom of expression, calls apology insincere

Comedian Kunal Kamra has refused to apologise before a Maharashtra legislature privileges committee over his remarks targeting Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde. He also pushed back against the proceedings, taking to social media to fact-check and counter claims made during the hearing.

The committee was constituted after a breach of privilege notice was moved against him following a complaint over his comments.

Soon after the hearing on Thursday, Kamra posted a detailed response online, reiterating his stand while also calling out and fact-checking assertions made during the cross-examination.

He said he stood firmly by his remarks and would not offer what he termed an “insincere” apology.

“The way I remember the last three questions of my cross-examination this evening — Do you feel remorse? No. Are you sorry about what you said? No. If you tender an unconditional apology, this matter will be looked at differently — No, I can't, as the apology would not be sincere. Also, it would set a terrible precedent for other artists and their freedom,” he posted on X.

Earlier, privileges committee chairman Prasad Lad said the complaint had been filed by BJP MLC Pravin Darekar.

“Cross-questioning of both Kunal Kamra and Pravin Darekar took place today. Around 24 questions were asked to Kunal Kamra,” Lad said.

He added that issues around constitutional rights and the powers of the privileges committee were also discussed.

“The committee informed him that if he offered an unconditional apology, the matter would be considered differently. His lawyer said they would discuss this and respond in writing,” Lad said.

The controversy stems from a performance last year at the Habitat Comedy Club, where Kamra referred to Shinde as a “traitor” for his 2022 rebellion that split the Shiv Sena led by Uddhav Thackeray.

The remark, delivered through a parody of a song from the film Dil Toh Pagal Hai, triggered outrage among Shinde’s supporters. Shiv Sena functionary Rahul Kanal and others later vandalised the venue.

Kamra, however, has remained defiant, refusing to apologise and condemning the violence, even as the legal and political scrutiny over his remarks continues.

- Ends
(With PTI inputs)