Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Monday stated that legal action would be initiated against comedian Kunal Kamra over his remarks on Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde. He also demanded that Kamra issue an apology, emphasizing that Shinde had been insulted.

“Legal action will be taken as per the law. Kunal Kamra should apologise,” Fadnavis said.

He further stressed that attempts to demean Shinde would not be tolerated. “Eknath Shinde ji has been insulted, and such actions will not be accepted. The elections have already shown who the real traitors are. No stand-up comedian has the right to call such a senior leader a traitor,” he asserted.

Addressing reporters, the Chief Minister stated that while stand-up comedy allows for humor, it does not permit defamatory statements. “There is a right to comedy, and people can joke about us, but making derogatory remarks is unacceptable. If someone deliberately tries to malign Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde, it is not right,” he added.

Drawing parallels between Kamra’s social media post featuring a red-covered Constitution book and a similar act by Rahul Gandhi during a 2024 event, Fadnavis remarked, “Both Kunal Kamra and Rahul Gandhi have not read the Constitution. The Constitution grants freedom of speech, but within limits.”

Fadnavis also pointed out that the 2024 Assembly elections reflected the public’s mandate. “Voters have given us their support. Those labeled as traitors were rejected by the people. Anyone trying to distort the ideology of Balasaheb Thackeray has been shown their place by Maharashtra’s citizens. Humor is one thing, but defamation cannot be justified under free speech,” he said.

Speaking later in the Maharashtra Assembly, Fadnavis warned against the misuse of free speech. “We uphold freedom of expression, but it should not lead to tyranny. If you examine Kunal Kamra’s past, you will see that he frequently targets the judiciary and stays in the news for such remarks,” he said.

He also defended Shinde’s political legitimacy, stating, “Eknath Shinde carries forward Balasaheb Thackeray’s ideological legacy, as endorsed by the people. Kunal Kamra is insignificant in comparison to the will of the state’s people.”

Meanwhile, Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar also weighed in on the matter, stating that no one should act beyond the law.

The controversy erupted after Kamra, during a performance at The Unicontinental Mumbai in Khar, referred to Shinde as a “traitor” and altered lyrics from the Bollywood film Dil To Pagal Hai to mock his 2022 rebellion against Uddhav Thackeray.

Following the viral circulation of Kamra’s remarks, a large group of Shiv Sena workers gathered outside Hotel Unicontinental on Sunday night, where they allegedly vandalized the studio and hotel premises.

The Habitat Studio, where Kamra’s show was held, is the same venue where the contentious India’s Got Latent show was filmed. Subsequently, Shiv Sena MLA Murji Patel filed a police complaint against Kamra.

Authorities also registered a case against nearly 40 Shiv Sena workers for their alleged involvement in the ransacking of the Habitat Studio.