Kunal Kamra incident: Is vandalism as a response to political humour getting normalised in India? | In Focus podcast

In this episode, Punit Paniya speaks to us about the controversy around recent remarks of stand-up comedian Kunak kamra, and how this is affecting the community of comedians in the country.

India is up in arms again, over the words of a stand-up comedian known for political jokes. Kunal Kamra’s remarks on Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde were not liked by the latter’s supporters, who responded with violence – vandalising the venue where Kamra had performed, with the police not intervening to protect private property. Kamra has been inundated with threat calls.

The Maharashtra government has also threatened to freeze Kamra’s bank accounts, and has demanded an apology. But Kamra has said will not apologise, and that he is not afraid of “the mob.”

Guest: Punit Pania, Mumbai-based stand-up comedian, also known for political humour.

Host: G. Sampath, Social Affairs Editor, The Hindu.

Edited by Sharmada Venkatasubramanian.

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