The Maharashtra legislative council`s privileges committee has summoned stand-up comedian Kunal Kamra and Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Sushma Andhare for a hearing over their alleged insulting remarks against Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde.
BJP MLC Prasad Lad, who is the chairperson of the privileges committee, while talking to the media on Wednesday, said that the notice was issued to Kamra and Andhare 15 days ago, as per PTI.
Prasad Lal also added that Kamra and Andhare have been asked to appear before the committee for a hearing at 2 pm on Thursday, January 5.
The BJP MLC emphasised, “If they fail to turn up after two summons, the committee will decide on action against them.”
Earlier in March 2025, Kunal Kamra posted his video `Naya Bharat`, in which he sang a parody of Bholi Si Surat, a popular song from the Bollywood movie Dil To Pagal Hai. With this parody song, he allegedly targeted Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde, leading to multiple FIRs against him.
Breach of privilege notice moved against Kamra
BJP MLC Pravin Darekar had moved the breach of privilege notice against Kamra and Andhare for “derogatory remarks” against Shiv Sena leader Shinde, whose party is a constituent of the BJP-led Mahayuti.
Stand-up comedian Kunal Kamra, who has often courted controversy for his anti-establishment views, targeted Shinde in a song parody last year, indirectly referring to him as a traitor without naming him.
Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Andhare had allegedly supported Kunal Kamra over his remark on the Deputy Chief Minister.
Kunal Kamra on his return as a comedian
Although Kunal Kamra continued to engage with audiences through podcasts on his channel, he has not returned to stand-up since. He mentioned this in a statement shared on the social media platform Instagram earlier in December 2025.
While taking it to social media, Kamra addressed questions about the future of his stand-up career. He requested people not to ask about his return to the stage, saying he himself does not know when that will happen. He also highlighted the exhausting legal process involved before performing a stand-up act.
Kamra, while posting a story on Instagram, wrote, “It’s a question I ask myself. The answer is, I don’t think I’m ready to fight for this anymore. Every venue, every show, permissions from authorities, conditional declarations of what I can say and what I can’t, and the court cases that follow the jokes eventually. There’s no road for wanting to do stand-up in the true sense. There are two options: say what is allowed and adjust to invisible rules and non-existent laws, or just wait and enjoy the waiting.”
(With inputs from PTI)
