Lagatar24 Desk
Mumbai/New Delhi: Stand-up comedian Kunal Kamra on Tuesday responded to the mounting backlash against his viral video “Naya Bharat”, releasing a sharply worded post on X (formerly Twitter) titled “How to Kill an Artist: A Step-by-Step Guide.” The comedian, known for his outspoken anti-establishment stance, is facing multiple FIRs after a segment from his latest show was perceived as an attack on Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde.
Kamra, who is currently in Tamil Nadu, used the five-point post to highlight the increasing constraints on artistic freedom, stating that artists are being forced to either “sell their soul and become a dollar puppet or wither in silence.”
Kamra’s Five-Point Guide on Silencing Artists
In his post, Kamra outlined what he calls a political “playbook” to suppress dissenting voices in art:
1. Outrage just enough to stop brands from commissioning their work.
2. Amplify the outrage so corporate gigs dry up.
3. Escalate it until big venues back out.
4. Resort to violent acts so even small spaces shut their doors.
5. Target their audience with police summons, making art feel like a crime scene.
“This isn’t just a playbook, it’s a political weapon. A silencing machine,” Kamra wrote.
Three FIRs And A Raided House
The controversy started when Kamra’s satirical video, which has now crossed 11 million views on YouTube, allegedly referred to Shinde as a “gaddar” (traitor). The show triggered protests, with members of Shiv Sena vandalising the venue where it was filmed. Kamra now faces three FIRs registered in Nashik Rural, Jalgaon, and Nandgaon, which have all been transferred to Mumbai’s Khar police station.
Although the police claim reports of summoning audience members are incorrect, Kamra’s post suggests otherwise. “Summon their audience for questioning – turning art into a crime scene,” he said in his post.
On Monday, a police team visited Kamra’s Mahim residence, only to learn that he hadn’t lived there for over a decade. Kamra later mocked the visit on X: “Going to an address where I haven’t lived for the last 10 years is a waste of your time & public resources.”
Refuses to Apologise
Despite the backlash and legal heat, Kamra remains defiant and has refused to apologise for his remarks. This marks yet another chapter in Kamra’s long-running tussle with political and legal authorities over freedom of expression in comedy.
