Maharashtra Minister Calls for Kunal Kamra’s Arrest

Shiv Sena Leader Urges Police to Act Swiftly

Shiv Sena leader and Maharashtra tourism minister Shambhuraj Desai has called on the police to arrest comedian Kunal Kamra without delay. This comes after Sena workers vandalized a Mumbai studio on Sunday night where Kamra had recorded his show, expressing anger over his parody song criticizing Maharashtra deputy Chief Minister and Shiv Sena president Eknath Shinde.

Desai’s Warning

• Desai cautioned against testing party workers’ patience
• He urged the police to arrest Kamra promptly
• Desai warned against further provocation

Desai told reporters, “We have been asked by Shinde to observe restraint, that is why we are quiet. As Shiv Sena workers, we know how to drag him out from wherever he is hiding, but as ministers, we have some restrictions.” He added, “We want to tell the police, do not test our patience and nab him from wherever he is, put him in a tyre and give him ‘prasad’.” In Marathi, ‘prasad’ traditionally refers to a divine offering, whilst also serving as a subtle reference to punishment.

The Row Over Kamra’s Parody Song

• Kamra performed a parody version of a popular song from ‘Dil Toh Pagal Hai’
• The song incorporated the term ‘gaddar’ (traitor), apparently directed at Shinde
• Several individuals were arrested and later released on bail following the vandalism
• The Khar police filed a FIR against Kamra based on Shiv Sena MLA Murji Patel’s complaint

The row erupted when, during his recent performance, Kamra performed a parody version of a popular song from ‘Dil Toh Pagal Hai’, incorporating the term ‘gaddar’ (traitor), apparently directed at Shinde. Following Sunday night’s vandalism at the Habitat Comedy Club in Khar by Shinde-led Shiv Sena activists, several individuals were arrested and subsequently released on bail. The Khar police later filed a FIR against Kamra based on Shiv Sena MLA Murji Patel’s complaint regarding alleged defamatory statements about Shinde.