Comedian Kunal Kamra, who courted controversy over his “Naya Bharat” video – recorded at Mumbai’s Habitat, which is now shut for an indefinite period – has said that T-Series has issued a copyright strike against him on YouTube. The strike came after Kamra twisted the lyrics of multiple songs originally produced under the T-Series label. 

“Hello T-Series, stop being a stooge,” wrote Kamra on the social media platform X (formerly known as Twitter). 

He added, “Parody and satire comes under fair use legally. I haven’t used the lyrics or the original instrumental of the song.”

The comedian asked creators to take note of the strike he has received, adding, “If you [T-Series] take this video down, every cover song/dance video can be taken down.”

“Every monopoly in India is nothing short of mafia,” he went on to say. 

‘I will not apologise’: Kamra

The comedian’s first reaction to the controversy over his YouTube video was a picture of himself holding a red pocket edition of the Indian constitution. He captioned it: “The only way forward.”

In the YouTube video that has triggered a massive political storm, the standup comedian said, “At some point I will put this video out, and for all the people who won’t like the show, I have something for you.” He then flashed the same red edition of the Constitution of India and added, “This is what allows me to do what I do, and in the framework of the book, you can feel free to do anything.”

Later, he issued a lengthy statement addressing mobs, political leaders, and online trolls on social media handles, asserting that he would not apologise. 

“I will not apologise or hide under the bed waiting for the controversy to die down,” he said.

‘Legal action underway’: Fadnavis

Maharashtra CM Devendra Fadnavis said that legal action would be taken against comedian Kunal Kamra for insulting Eknath Shinde. He also demanded an apology from him, adding that such statements cannot be justified as “freedom of speech”.

He also said that the action against Kamra would be in response to his alleged insult to “the mandate and ideology of Balasaheb Thackeray”.

As per reports, three FIRs have been registered against Kunal Kamra for taking a veiled swipe at Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde. The comedian is currently in Pondicherry and had requested one week’s time to appear before authorities. However, multiple reports suggest that the request has been rejected. 

The police have arrested Shiv Sena functionary Rahul Kanal and 11 others for vandalising Habitat. 

Kunal Kamra vs Eknath Shinde

In his comedy special uploaded on March 23, Kamra, without naming Shinde,  referred to him as a turncoat and a traitor. However, he dropped several hints:  a political leader who is from Thane, hides in Guwahati, and could be found in Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis’s lap.

“What they did in the Maharashtra elections…. Shiv Sena left BJP, then Shiv Sena left Shiv Sena. NCP left NCP. They gave one voter nine buttons. Everyone got confused. One clever man did this. He comes from a very prominent district in Mumbai – Thane,” Kamra said during the show. 

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He then went on to sing the parody of the song: “Thane ki rickshaw, chehre pe daadhi, ankhon pe chashma, haye! Thane ki rickshaw, chehre pe daadhi, ankhon pe chashma, haye! Ek jhalak dikhlaye kabhi Guwahati mein chup jaaye. Meri nazar se tum dekho, gaddar nazar wo aye. Thane ki rickshaw, chehre pe daadhi, ankhon pe chashma, haye!”

“Mantri nahi wo dalbadlu hai, aur kaha kya jaye? Jis thali me khaaye, usme hi wo ched kar jaye. Mantralay se zyada, Fadnavis ki godi me mil jaye. Teer kaman mila hai isko, baap mera yeh chahe. Thane ki rickshaw, chehre pe daadhi, ankhon pe chashma, haye!” he added.  

Eknath Shinde on Kunal Kamra’s ‘gaddar’ swipe at him

“Freedom of expression is important, but it should not be misused. Many writers engage in satire, but what happened today was an act of immorality, licentious behaviour, and a hit job done for money,” Shinde told a Marathi news channel.

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“This same person has previously spoken against the Chief Justice, the Prime Minister, Nirmala Sitharaman, and leading industrialists of this nation. He has clashed with journalists and has even been banned by airlines. This is not freedom of expression. It is speaking on behalf of someone with an agenda. I haven’t commented on this issue all day, and I won’t,” he added.

Shinde distanced himself from the vandalism by his supporters at the venue. “Every action has a reaction. I have immense patience and never react to anyone. Focusing on work and delivering justice to the people – this is what has led us to remarkable success,” he further said.