Comedian Kunal Kamra on Thursday said that he could not tender an unconditional apology in breach of privilege proceedings before the Maharashtra Legislative Council, as it “would not be sincere” and would “set a terrible precedent” for other artists and their freedom of expression.
The committee had told him that it would “look at the matter differently” if he were to apologise, The Hindu reported.
The comedian, along with Shiv Sena (Uddhav Balasaheb Thackeray) leader Sushma Andhare, is facing breach of privilege proceedings in connection with allegations that he made disparaging remarks about Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde in March 2025.
While Kamra was accused of mocking Shinde and insulting the Maharashtra legislature, Andhare was accused of expressing support for him. The breach of privilege notice was moved by Bharatiya Janata Party MLC Pravin Darekar.
The comedian appeared before the Privileges Committee of the Maharashtra Legislative Council at 5 pm on Thursday, where his statement was recorded for an hour, according to The Hindu.
“Cross-questioning of Pravin Darekar and Kunal Kamra took place today,” The Hindu quoted the head of the committee, BJP MLC Prasad Lad, as saying. “In the 24 questions asked to Kunal Kamra, we tried to tell him about the mistakes he made.”
Lad further said that Kamra was questioned about his rights, and those of the privileges committee. “We have told him that if he tenders an unconditional apology, the committee will think of this differently,” the MLC told reporters. “His lawyer has said that he will consult with him and will send a reply by mail.”
However, Kamra, disputed Lad’s recounting of the hearing, saying that the last three questions posed to him were all about whether he would express remorse for his remarks. He also said he was told the matter would be considered differently if he apologised.
In a written reply to the committee, the comedian contended that the proceedings against him were without jurisdiction, The Hindu reported.
He was quoted as having argued that for a performance to constitute breach of privilege, it should either be about the conduct of a legislator in their capacity as a member of the House, based on the proceedings of the legislature or must be seen to have obstructed its functioning.
Kamra’s comments on Shinde
On March 23, 2025, Kamra posted a video on his YouTube channel in which he ostensibly criticised Shinde while performing a satirical version of a song from a Hindi film.
The comedian alluded to Shinde as a “traitor” while referring to his 2022 rebellion against Uddhav Thackeray, the chief minister at the time, and the ensuing political crisis in Maharashtra. He, however, did not mention Shinde by name.
After clips of the performance were widely shared on social media, members of the Shinde-led faction of the Shiv Sena on the night of March 23, 2025, vandalised The Habitat studio in Mumbai’s Khar area, where it was recorded.
The next day, the Mumbai Police filed a case against Kamra under sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita pertaining to defamation and public mischief.
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