Kunal Kamra receives 500+ death threats over Eknath Shinde joke
What's the story
Stand-up comedian Kunal Kamra has reportedly received over 500 death threats after his controversial gaddar (traitor) joke targeting Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde.
The comedian, who has been summoned by the Mumbai Police over the issue, has asked for a week's time to appear before the authorities.
According to NDTV, some callers threatened to kill him and dismember him.
Controversy
Kamra's joke sparks outrage among political workers
The controversy started when a clip of Kamra's joke targeting Shinde went viral.
While performing recently at Mumbai's Habitat comedy club in Khar, he apparently mocked Shinde by changing the lyrics of a song from the film Dil Toh Pagal Hai.
This elicited strong reactions from Shiv Sena (Shinde faction) supporters and led to the venue where he performed being damaged.
Legal action
Arrests made in connection with venue vandalism
After the vandalism at the Habitat comedy club, cops had arrested 12 Shiv Sena workers and leaders, who were later released on bail.
Another case was filed against 40 Sena workers for damaging the venue of Kamra's show.
An FIR was also lodged against Kamra on a complaint by Shiv Sena MLA Murji Patel at the Khar police station.
Defiance
Kamra maintains stance amid threats and legal challenges
Amid multiple threats and cases, Kamra has remained defiant. He said he won't apologize for his joke, because "What I said is exactly what Mr Ajit Pawar (1st deputy CM) said about Mr. Eknath Shinde (2nd deputy CM)."
He also responded to all unknown numbers calling him.
"To those who are...calling me incessantly, I am sure you have realized...that all unknown calls go to my voicemail, where you will be subjected to the very song that you hate," he said.
Response
Eknath Shinde comments on Kamra's joke
Shinde, meanwhile, questioned the comedian's motives, asking, "Whose supari does he take to do such things?"
"We understand satire, but there should be limits," he said.
He took exception to Kamra for allegedly making disparaging comments about other public personalities, including PM Modi and journalist Arnab Goswami.
This is not freedom of speech, but working for someone, he said.