"Now is time to answer him like Shiv Sena does": Maharashtra Minister Shambhuraj on Kunal Kamra's parody song

Mar 27, 2025

Mumbai (Maharashtra) [India], March 27 : After comedian Kunal Kamra released a parody song targeting Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, Maharashtra Minister Shambhuraj Desai on Thursday came hard on Kamra and said that the time has come to answer the latter like Shiv Sena does.
Speaking to the media, Desai warned Kunal Kamra that if he had the courage, he should come out in public and make statements.
"Kunal Karma does such things deliberately. He disrespected Deputy CM Eknath Shinde, Union Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, PM Narendra Modi and even the Supreme Court of India. Now is the time to answer him like Shiv Sena does. We are ministers, but first, we are members of Shiv Sena and hold the power to respond to him likewise. Dy CM has told us that action against him will be taken as per the law. If he has the courage, he should come out in public and make statements, but he hides and makes such remarks," he said.
"We will talk to Dy CM and ask the police officers to find him (Kamra) and take appropriate action," the Maharashtra Minister said.
Unfazed by the raging controversy over his "traitor" jab at Shiv Sena chief Eknath Shinde, stand-up artist and comedian Kunal Kamra dropped a new parody song on Wednesday, targeting Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman and accusing the BJP of "tanashahi" (dictatorship).
The video was released by Kamra even as Mumbai police issued him a second summons, rejecting his request for a week's time to appear for questioning.
Kamra failed to appear on the first date, and his lawyer had requested seven days. However, after he did not appear, Mumbai Police issued another date after taking legal opinion.
Mumbai Police are investigating allegations that before making a mockery of former Chief Minister Eknath Shinde, Kamra made satirical remarks about several other noted personalities.
According to the police, if the investigation reveals that Kamra has previously made satirical comments about any politician, actor, or sportsperson, action will be taken against him. Officials clarified that while Kamra's lawyer has contacted them, the comedian himself has not been in touch with police officials.
Mumbai police said that if the investigation reveals that Kunal Kamra has committed any crime before this through his pranks, then more cases can be registered against him.
Kamra recently sparked a row with his "gaddar" (traitor) joke allegedly aimed at Eknath Shinde. Several political leaders condemned his remarks during a stand-up show and demanded action against him.