Kunal Kamra's controversial moments: From 'gaddar' jibe to Brahmin-Baniya affair
What's the story
Stand-up comedian Kunal Kamra has once again landed himself in a controversy, this time for calling Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde a "gaddar" (traitor) at a recent performance in Mumbai.
Further, the comic refused to apologize for his remarks.
The incident is not the first time the 36-year-old has ruffled feathers with his jokes and remarks.
Let's take a look at some of his previous controversial moments.
SC
Kamra's social media mockery of Supreme Court
In 2020, Kamra triggered contempt proceedings by attacking the Supreme Court of India on social media.
On X (formerly Twitter), he called the Apex Court "Supreme joke of this country" after it granted interim release to journalist Arnab Goswami in a 2018 abetment to suicide case.
"All lawyers with a spine must stop the use of the prefix 'Honorable' while referring to the Supreme Court or its judges. Honour has left the building long back," he further wrote.
Video controversy
The infamous mid-air heckling incident
Kamra locked horns with Goswami, infamously, on a plane.
In January 2020, he heckled the Republic TV founder on a flight, questioning his journalism. Kamra shared a two-minute video on X capturing their "interaction," igniting a fierce debate.
Thereafter, he was banned by three airlines, IndiGo, Air India, and SpiceJet, in quick succession.
Controversial remarks
Kamra's 'Brahmin-Baniya' remark about Supreme Court
Kamra made headlines again in May 2020 when he remarked on the Supreme Court being a "Brahmin-Baniya" affair during his show Be Like.
This led to a plea being filed with the petitioners seeking contempt proceedings.
The comedian had apparently taken a jibe at the Indian judiciary being dominated by individuals from the Brahmin and Baniya communities.
VHP letter
'When did I insult deities?': Kamra's open letter to VHP
Back in September 2022, Kamra wrote to the Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) asking them to denounce Mahatma Gandhi's assassin Nathuram Godse to prove they were pro-Hindu and anti-terrorism.
He also dared them to show evidence of him disrespecting the Hindu religion.
This was after his show was canceled in Gurugram amid planned protests by Bajrang Dal and VHP members.
The right-wing groups had alleged that Kamra "mocks Hindu deities."
Criticism
Kamra v/s OLA CEO
Last on the list is a 2024 incident when Kamra took to social media to slam OLA Electric CEO Bhavish Aggarwal, drawing attention to customer complaints and pending refunds.
The two had earlier had an ugly spat after Kamra highlighted the piles of OLA Electric scooters outside a shop.
Responding to him, Aggarwal had said, "If you're so concerned, why don't you help? If not, shut up and let us fix real customer issues."