Ashish Pandey 
Mumbai:
Amid a row over stand-up comedian Kunal Kamra, who has been in the eye of the storm for his remarks at Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde, Deputy CM Ajit Pawar stated Tuesday that Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis has said that action will be taken as per the law.
“Our CM Devendra Fadnavis had responded on this issue on behalf of the government… Our CM has said that action will be taken as per the law,” Mr Pawar told reporters while explaining the stand of the Maharashtra government on the matter.
CM Fadnavis has taken a strong stand on the alleged disparaging remarks made by stand-up artist Kunal Kamra against Eknath Shinde. The Chief Minister while speaking in the state Assembly on Monday stated that the government would not accept freedom of expression if it leads to tyranny.
The CM said, “We appreciate humour and satire. We accept political satire, but we do not accept freedom of expression if it leads to tyranny.”
He stated that Kamra staged “low-quality” comedy. “This artist makes statements against the Prime Minister, the Chief Justice; he wants to gain fame by creating controversy. He targeted Eknath Shinde and staged a low-quality comedy,” adding that the people will decide whether Eknath Shinde is a traitor or a selfish person.
Further referring to Eknath Shinde as the heir to Balasaheb Thackeray’s legacy, he questioned the opposition, asking whether they had given a “supari” for the stand-up show.
“Balasaheb Thackeray’s legacy is with Eknath Shinde… and those on the opposite bench support him, have you given a supari? This Kamra tweeted a photo of the Constitution; if he had read the Constitution, he would not have committed such atrocities,” he added.
“No one has the right to insult anyone. He can write poems or satire on us, but if he insults us action will be taken. Then don’t be shy, these things will not be tolerated in Maharashtra,” the CM added.
Shiv Sena has strongly objected to the comments made by Kamra. Meanwhile, the opposition alliance in Maharashtra has criticized the Mahayuti government for the “breakdown of law and order.”
Earlier, Mumbai Police sent summon to the stand-up artist asking him to appear before the investigating officer on Tuesday.
As per the Mumbai police, Kamra is not in Mumbai right now. MIDC police had registered a first information report against Kamra for his remarks during a stand-up comedy show, which was transferred to Khar police for further investigation.
The Shiv Sena workers vandalised The Habitat in Mumbai after Kamra’s remarks about Eknath Shinde on Sunday
(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)
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