The heated controversy surrounding Samay Raina’s show, India’s Got Latent, has barely subsided, and now, another stand-up comedian, Kunal Kamra, finds himself in hot water for allegedly making defamatory remarks about politician Eknath Shinde during a live performance at Mumbai’s Habitat Comedy Club. His comments, which referred to Shinde as a ‘traitor’ without naming him directly, sparked outrage from the Shiv Sena. The situation escalated rapidly as members of the Shiv Sena youth wing vandalised the venue, resulting in FIRs filed against both Kunal and the assailants. Now, a fiery debate about freedom of speech amid political backlash has taken centre stage.
Jaya Bachchan reacts to the Kunal Kamra controversy
Veteran actress and Samajwadi Party MP, Jaya Bachchan, is not one to hold back. Amid the ongoing controversy, reporters reached outside the Parliament in search of answers. Speaking to the reporters, Jaya Bachchan openly slammed the growing restrictions on a fundamental right of citizens, i.e., the Freedom of Speech and Expression. She also criticised Shinde’s political shift, seemingly backing Kunal in the matter. Taking a jab at the current political climate, Jaya said:
“If there is a restriction on speaking, what will become of you? You are anyway in a bad situation. You would be told to speak just on this and nothing else, (you can be told) that ‘do not interview Jaya Bachchan’… You (Eknath Shinde) left your real party and formed another party for power. Isn’t that an insult to Balasaheb?… Where is freedom of speech? There is freedom of action only when there is a ruckus — beat up the opposition, rape women, murder them. What else?”