Kamra Summoned Again In Joke Row, FIR Filed In Khar Police Station

Mumbai: The Khar Police Station in Mumbai has issued a second summons to comedian Kunal Kamra in connection with his controversial remarks at Mumbai’s Habitat Centre last week and has asked him to appear for questioning. Comedian Kunal Kamra posted another satirical song, this time targeting Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman.

The comedian reposted the song on Wednesday with popcorn emojis, which was seen by many as a dig at the controversy which erupted late last year over the varying rates of GST (Goods and Services Tax) levied on the movie theatre snack. The stand-up comic poked fun at the government over potholes, the digging up of roads for Metro construction, and bridge collapses. Stating that corporate employees pay higher taxes than the corporations they work for, the comedian shifted focus to Nirmala Sitharaman, whom he referred to as “sariwaali didi” and “Nirmala tai”.

A case was filed by Shiv Sena MLA Murji Patel against Kunal Kamra over another satirical song in the show based on ‘Bholi Si Surat’ from the 1997 blockbuster ‘Dil To Pagal Hai’. In the song, the comedian had – without naming him – made some comments on Mr Shinde. It also had a mention of  ‘gaddar’ (traitor) which was seen as a reference to Mr Shinde splitting the Shiv Sena in 2022 and joining hands with the BJP, leading to the Uddhav Thackeray-led government losing power in Maharashtra.

The Mumbai Police, which is investigating the case, had summoned Mr Kamra on Tuesday but the comedian had sought a week’s time to appear. On Wednesday, the police rejected the request and issued another summons to Mr Kamra.