UP CM Yogi Adityanath: Yogi Adityanath, the chief minister of Uttar Pradesh, has criticised stand-up comedian Kunal Kamra for allegedly criticising Maharashtra deputy chief minister Eknath Shinde.
The dispute developed during Kamra’s performance at Mumbai’s The Habitat venue, which resulted in vandalism by Shiv Sainiks and subsequent police action, with Mumbai Police filing a FIR against Kamra based on a complaint from Shiv Sena MLA Murji Patel.
UP CM Yogi Adityanath: ‘Law should take action’, Kunal Kamra over remarks on Maharashtra Deputy CM Eknath Shinde
“Freedom of expression is in the realm of law. It should be in the realm of constitutional values. And in that realm, there is freedom of expression. The freedom of your personality cannot be used to attack someone else. It is unfortunate that some people have considered the freedom of this individual as their birthright to divide the country and increase the division. And I feel that the law should take action against such people who are creating a difference in the country,” said CM Yogi.
Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis also took a firm stand on the matter, warning in the state Assembly that the government will not tolerate free expression if it leads to dictatorship.
Following the incident at The Habitat, police detained 12 Shiv Sainiks for vandalism after Kamra posted videos of his stand-up performance.
Kamra responded to the incident by posting a message on his social media account, refusing to apologise for his actions.
“Our right to freedom of speech and expression is not only to be used to fawn over the powerful and rich even though today’s media would have us believe otherwise. Your inability to take a joke at the expense of a powerful public figure does not change the nature of my right. As far as I know, it is not against the law to poke fun at our leaders and the circus that is our political system,” Kamra stated.
The comedian stated that he is willing to collaborate with police officers and authorities in any appropriate steps taken against him.
Kamra additionally doubted whether “the law will be fairly and equally deployed against those who have decided that vandalism is the appropriate response to being offended by a joke.”
The standup comedian reiterated his stance, adding that he will not apologise for his words and has no fear of a “mob.”
Following the registration of the FIR, the Mumbai Police called Kamra for questioning on Tuesday.
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