New Delhi: Amid a raging controversy over comic Kunal Kamra’s remarks on Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde, Shiv Sena member Dhairyasheel Mane on Tuesday demanded in the Lok Sabha that stand-up comedy platforms promoting hate speech and creating tension in society should be banned.
Mane stated that some individuals are using stand-up comedians to push their political agendas. Participating in the discussion on the Finance Bill, 2025, in the Lok Sabha, the Sena MP called for the establishment of a policy or framework allowing comedians to critique policies without making personal remarks against individuals.
Without naming Kamra directly, Mane referred to recent television footage, saying that “one joker whose mind is empty” has been making irresponsible comments against Shiv Sena leader and Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde. He emphasized, “I demand that such platforms which promote hate speech or create tension in society should be banned.”
Kunal Kamra stirred a major political storm in Maharashtra after taking a jibe at Shiv Sena leader Shinde’s political career during his show. The 36-year-old stand-up comedian performed a parody of a popular Hindi song from the film *Dil Toh Pagal Hai*, apparently referring to Shinde as a “gaddar” (traitor). He also joked about recent political developments in Maharashtra, including the Shiv Sena and NCP splits.
On Sunday night, Shiv Sena members vandalized the Habitat Comedy Club in Mumbai’s Khar area, where Kamra’s show took place, as well as a hotel on whose premises the club is located.
Unfazed by the backlash, Kamra stated that he will not apologise for his comments about Shinde and criticized the acts of vandalism.
Reacting to Kamra’s jibe, Eknath Shinde likened it to taking a “supari” (contract) to speak against someone and stressed that there should be decorum while making satire. “Otherwise, action causes a reaction,” he said.
Addressing the matter on Monday, Shinde acknowledged freedom of speech but emphasized that there should be limits. “Freedom of speech is there, but there should be a limit,” he said.
*Note: Except for the headline, this article has not been edited by FPJ’s editorial team and is auto-generated from an agency feed.*
https://www.freepressjournal.in/mumbai/kunal-kamra-row-shiv-sena-mp-dhairyasheel-mane-demands-ban-on-comedy-platforms-for-promoting-hate-speech-in-lok-sabha
