Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde on Tuesday said there should be a limit to any satire, and said a decorum should be maintained while taking jibes, otherwise the action causes a reaction.
Speaking in reference to Kunal Kamra’s controversial remark against him during one of his stand-up comedies, Shinde also likened Kamra’s jibe at him to taking ‘supari’ (contract) to speak against someone.
“Freedom of speech is there, we understand satire, but there should be a limit," Shinde said.
“This is like taking ‘supari‘ (contract) to speak against someone," he said at a BBC Marathi event.
“The other person should also maintain a certain level, otherwise, action causes a reaction," he added.
“This same person (Kamra) had commented on the Supreme Court of India, the Prime Minister, and some industrialists. This is not freedom of speech, this is working for someone," Shinde said.
The 36-year-old comedian has kicked up a major political storm in Maharashtra for taking a jibe at Shinde’s political career in his show by modifying the lyrics of a popular Hindi movie song.
On Monday, Kamra said he would not apologise for his remarks.
As multiple videos of Kamra’s humour went viral, workers of the Shiv Sena (Eknath Shinde faction) ransacked the show’s venue.
Later, they also got a First Information Report (FIR) registered against Kamra.
The same day, the Mumbai Police arrested Shiv Sena functionary Rahul Kanal and 11 others for vandalising the Mumbai hotel venue.
Hours later, a magistrate’s court granted bail to all of them.
