Twitter executive summoned over 'no action' against Kunal Kamra's video
The National Commission for Protection of Child Rights (NCPCR) has summoned Twitter India's Communications Director to appear before it on Wednesday for not acting against comedian Kunal Kamra. Kamra had posted a doctored (and rather demeaning) video of a boy singing patriotic song for Prime Minister Narendra Modi during his recent Germany visit. The NCPCR had reportedly sought action against Kamra on May 5.
Why does this story matter?
Kamra, a stand up comedian, has been embroiled in controversy on multiple occasions in the past for criticizing the ruling dispensation. He is also considered a vocal critique of PM Modi and right-wing groups. In 2020, he was in news for allegedly misbehaving with journalist Arnab Goswami onboard a flight. Following the incident, he was banned from flying by several airlines.
Executive summoned with detailed ATR
On Tuesday, the Commission said it had sent a letter on May 5, "calling for an action taken report (ATR) in the complaint within seven days or receipt of the letter." "However, no such ATR has yet been received by the Commission," it added. Thus, it has now summoned Twitter India's Communications Director with the details of the ATR.
What did Kamra do?
Kamra had shared a purported video of PM Modi's interaction with a young boy in Germany. However, he replaced the song the boy sang, Janmabhoomi Bharat, with Mehengayi daayan, a popular song on inflation that featured in the film Peepli Live. Following this, some users called out Kamra for sharing the doctored video and sought police action against him.
Boy's father slammed Kamra
Notably, the boy's father had slammed Kamra and asked him to keep his son out of "filthy politics." "He is my seven-year-old son, who wanted to sing this song for his beloved Motherland...Though he is still very young but certainly he loves his country more than you Mr Kamra or Kachra whatever you are," he had said then.
Joke is not on your son: Kamra
Kamra had responded to the child's father, saying the joke wasn't on his son. "While you enjoy your son sing for his motherland to the most popular song, there are songs that PM should listen to from people of his country also," he had asserted.
