Comedian Kunal Kamra, known for his sharp political satire, has once again taken a dig at the Maharashtra government through a sarcastic ‘guide’ on suppressing artists democratically. This comes in the wake of his controversial remarks on Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde, which have sparked political backlash.
Kamra’s ‘Step-by-Step Guide’
In his post on X, Kamra detailed a five-step process he claims is used to silence artists, starting from brand cancellations to police intervention:
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Outrage just enough for brands to stop commissioning their work.
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Increase the outrage until private and corporate gigs dry up.
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Raise the noise further so that major venues refuse to host them.
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Turn to violent outrage to shut down even small performance spaces.
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Summon the audience for questioning, making art a criminal offense.
The post further states that an artist is left with only two choices—either “sell their soul” or “wither in silence.” Kamra called this a political weapon and a silencing machine.
Police Summons & Government Reaction
Kamra’s remarks come after reports surfaced that Mumbai Police allegedly summoned attendees of his stand-up show, Naya Bharat, for questioning. He had previously mocked the police for arriving at his residence in Dadar amid the controversy.
The situation has ignited a debate on freedom of expression, with Kamra’s supporters calling the actions against him an attack on artistic freedom, while his critics argue that his remarks were disrespectful and crossed a line.
With tensions escalating, it remains to be seen how authorities will respond and whether this controversy will impact Kamra’s future performances.
