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In the aftermath of comedian Kunal Kamra's recent satirical performance targeting Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde, author Anand Ranganathan labeled Kamra a "coward and a psychopath."
During a debate on CNN News 18, Ranganathan accused Kamra of spotlighting free speech issues primarily in Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)-ruled states while overlooking similar incidents in regions governed by other parties.
He referenced cases such as Ketaki Chitale's imprisonment by the NCP coalition government for sharing a poem, Sameet Thakkar's arrest over a penguin analogy, and the demolition of Kangana Ranaut's property despite court warnings.
In a direct jab aimed at Kamra, Ranganathan reasoned that Kamra stayed silent during all those instances when comedians were targeted for alleged ‘sedition and defamation’ in non-BJP-ruled states.
Further, he lashed out at the comedian for his ‘selective humour,’ accusing him of deriving a “sadistic pleasure” from watching other people suffer.
The remarks were not without facts. A culturally diverse country as India adheres to multiple laws and regulations to maintain order.
Ranganathan claimed that Kunal Kamra’s act of holding a copy of the Constitution was merely an attempt to draw attention to himself when he had, in fact, not stood out in support for others when they suffered the same fate.
Kamra's Satirical Performance and Its Aftermath
During a stand-up show at Mumbai's Habitat Comedy Club, Kamra referred to Shinde as a ‘traitor’ ("gaddar"), alluding to Shinde's 2022 political defection that led to a split in the Shiv Sena party.
Following the performance, supporters of Shinde's Shiv Sena faction allegedly vandalized the venue, leading to multiple arrests, including that of the party's youth leader, Rahul Kanal.
An FIR was filed against Kamra, accusing him of defamation and inciting public mischief. Despite the backlash, Kamra refused to apologize, asserting his right to satirize public figures.
Legal Actions Against Comedians Across Political Landscapes
Ranganathan's critique brings to light a pattern of legal actions against comedians in India, transcending political boundaries:
Munawar Faruqui: In January 2021, Faruqui was arrested in Indore, Madhya Pradesh—a BJP-ruled state—for allegedly making offensive remarks about Hindu deities and Home Minister Amit Shah during a performance.
Notably, the arrest was based on complaints about jokes he was ‘about to make,’ leading to over a month in jail before being granted bail.
Vir Das: In November 2021, Mumbai Police in Maharashtra—a state governed by a coalition including the Shiv Sena, Nationalist Congress Party (NCP), and Congress—registered an FIR against Das on charges of copyright violation following a complaint by a producer.
Samay Raina and Ranveer Allahbadia (BeerBiceps): In February 2025, the duo faced significant backlash and a police investigation after making an obscene remark on a YouTube comedy show.
The incident led to widespread condemnation, police complaints, and intervention by India's Supreme Court, which ordered him to halt his shows temporarily.
