Mumbai Police summons Kunal Kamra again, rejects request for more time to appear for questioning in joke row

The Khar Police issued a second summons to Kunal Kamra today (March 26), under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) Section 35. Earlier, Mumbai Police sent a summons to the stand-up artist asking him to appear before the investigating officer on Tuesday (March 25). The MIDC police registered a first information report against Kamra for his remarks during a stand-up comedy show, which was then transferred to Khar police for further investigation.

Kunal Kamra's 'traitor joke' creates controversy 

Kamra sparked up a political storm with his controversial 'gaddar' (traitor) joke, which was allegedly aimed at Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde. Several political leaders condemned Kamra's statement during a stand-up show and sought action against him. Kamra, however, on Tuesday, shared a new video to mock Shiv Sena workers for vandalising Mumbai's The Habitat comedy club, where he had performed earlier.

Ajit Pawar reacts to Kunal Kamra's controversial statement 

On Tuesday, Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar said, "Our CM Devendra Fadnavis had responded on this issue on behalf of the government. Our CM has said that action will be taken as per the law. Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis took a strong stand on the alleged disparaging remarks made by stand-up artist Kunal Kamra against Eknath Shinde. The Chief Minister, while speaking in the state Assembly on Monday, stated that the government would not accept freedom of expression if it led to tyranny.

We don't accept freedom of expression if it leads to 'tyranny': Devendra Fadnavis

The Chief Minister said, "We appreciate humour and satire. We accept political satire, but we do not accept freedom of expression if it leads to tyranny." He stated that Kamra staged "low-quality" comedy. "This artist makes statements against the Prime Minister and the Chief Justice; he wants to gain fame by creating controversy. He targeted Eknath Shinde and staged a low-quality comedy," the CM said, adding that the people will decide whether Eknath Shinde is a traitor or a selfish person.

Will not 'apologise' for remarks on Eknath Shinde: Kunal Kamra

I will not apologise or hide under the bed waiting for the controversy to die down, Kunal Kamra said earlier as the row over his comedy act spilled over with Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde saying there should be limits to freedom of speech.

While Shinde said his comments- a parody targeting him- were like "taking supari" to speak against someone, many others weighed in too, and the Mumbai Police issued a notice to the stand-up comedian.

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Kamra, 36, on Tuesday doubled down on his stand by sharing an edited video of his stand up act where he juxtaposed videos of Shiv Sainiks demolishing the venue and burning his pictures and effigies with the parody song "Hum honge kangal, hum honge kangal ek din. Mann me andhvishwas, desh ka satyanash" playing in the background.