– Mohd. Ziyaullah Khan, Nagpur
Freedom of speech in India has always been a contested issue. The recent controversy surrounding stand-up comedian Kunal Kamra’s satirical song targeting former Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde has once again highlighted the fragile state of free expression in the country. The response – Shiv Sena (Shinde faction) workers went on a rampage, ransacking a Mumbai-based hotel studio that had organised Kamra’s show. They even issued warnings of further violence if such events were repeated. But this isn’t a new phenomenon – violence and vandalism have been an integral part of the Shiv Sena’s political legacy.
The term ‘Thokshahi’ (rule by force), coined by the party’s late founder Bal Thackeray, has been perfected by its followers. The only difference is that today, the new Shiv Sena under Shinde continues this tradition with impunity. But jokes aside, what happened at the Mumbai hotel studio is a serious issue that needs to be addressed in the public domain.
Thokshahi in Action: The Mumbai Hotel Vandalism
In a democracy, disagreement is natural, but the way one chooses to express it matters. If a political party doesn’t like a joke, should its workers have the right to ransack private property? Apparently, that’s the new normal. What’s even more surprising is that the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) followed up the vandalism with an act of demolition. Instead of focusing on real civic issues – like cleaning Mumbai’s filth or addressing its infrastructural problems – state-sponsored violence seems to take priority. Such acts tarnish the image of the city, state, and country, raising serious concerns about where we stand as a democracy.
Are We Becoming a Republic of Hurt Emotions?
One of the common defences for this act of vandalism is that it was an emotional reaction from party workers. But where do we draw the line? Just last week, similar ‘emotions’ led to unrest in Nagpur over Aurangzeb’s legacy. Now, this week, emotions have boiled over in Mumbai, leading to destruction. The harsh reality is that we have become a republic of hurt emotions, where anything can be justified under the pretext of ‘offense.’
During a primetime debate on India Today, Shiv Sena (Shinde faction) leader Rahul Kanal defended the act, claiming that his emotions were hurt. But which education system teaches violence as a response to offense?
It is ironic that Kanal, once a close aide of Aaditya Thackeray, conveniently switched loyalties when he was under investigation for an alleged COVID-era ‘khichdi scam.’ Since joining Shinde’s faction, the case against him seems to have faded into obscurity. This pattern of political ‘cleansing’—where switching sides earns one a clean chit—has become a disturbing trend in Indian politics.
The “Kamra is Not a Comedian” Argument
Another popular argument against Kamra is that he is not a comedian but a political propagandist who uses foul language under the guise of humour. While not everyone may appreciate his brand of stand-up, does that justify violence? If someone dislikes his jokes, they have the choice to simply not watch him. If they find his content offensive, they can take legal recourse. But vandalism and lawlessness are not the solutions. The right to free speech includes the right to offend, as long as it stays within the legal framework.
Did Kamra Do It for Fame?
Another claim is that Kamra orchestrated this controversy to regain lost fame, as his career has been declining in recent years. But this argument is self-defeating. If anyone made Kamra famous, it was the Shiv Sena workers themselves. Had they ignored his act, it would have remained just another comedy show. Instead, their violent response has amplified his reach and given him far more publicity than he could have hoped for. Furthermore, Kamra lives in a small town in Tamil Nadu, away from Mumbai’s political heat. At a time when IPL dominates the news cycle, how exactly did he intend to ‘grab attention’?
The “Political Agenda” Accusation
Shinde faction members have accused Kamra of working for Aaditya Thackeray and the Uddhav camp. But Kamra has previously made jokes about various political figures, often landing in trouble for his sharp wit.
This isn’t the first time he has been targeted, and it won’t be the last. If he truly had a ‘political agenda,’ one would expect him to enjoy some form of protection, which is clearly not the case. When Shiv Sena workers claim Kamra took a ‘supari’ (contract) to ridicule Shinde, one wonders if they have any concrete proof or are merely making baseless accusations.
Selective Targeting of Free Speech?
One of the final arguments against Kamra is that liberals and free speech activists are selective in their outrage. Critics ask why there were no protests when Kangana Ranaut’s office was demolished by the BMC under Uddhav’s rule or when actress Payal Rohatgi was arrested for her remarks against Sharad Pawar. Similarly, an ex-Naval officer was thrashed for sharing a cartoon of Uddhav Thackeray. These are valid points, but they do not justify the recent violence.
Selective outrage by political leaders exists across the spectrum, and it depends on which side of power they sit on. Devendra Fadnavis condemned the BMC’s demolition of Kangana’s office but now defends the attack on Kamra’s show. Political hypocrisy is an age-old tradition in India.
The Bigger Question: Who Pays for the Damage?
After the violence at the Mumbai hotel, will Shinde and his party compensate the owners for the losses? The answer is obvious – no. Unfortunately, political violence has been normalised in our society, and accountability remains elusive. When those in power promote or overlook such acts, the cycle of impunity continues.
Conclusion: The Illusion of Free Speech
The Kunal Kamra episode is not an isolated incident; it is a symptom of a larger problem. Free speech in India exists only as long as it does not offend those in power. The moment it does, it is met with violence, censorship, or legal intimidation. While political hypocrisy is nothing new, the disturbing trend of using ‘hurt emotions’ as an excuse for lawlessness must be challenged. If India truly aspires to be a mature democracy, it must learn to tolerate dissent, satire, and even offensive speech, because if every joke invites a mob, the joke is on us as a society.
[Mohd Ziyauallah Khan is a freelance content writer & editor based in Nagpur. He is also an activist and social entrepreneur, co-founder of the group TruthScape, a team of digital activists fighting disinformation on social media.]
