Jaya Bachchan questions 'freedom of speech' amid Kunal Kamra controversy: "If such steps are being taken for saying something…."

Jaya Bachchan criticizes actions against Kunal Kamra
Veteran actress and TMC MP Jaya Bachchan has voiced her concerns over the controversy surrounding stand-up comedian Kunal Kamra. Speaking on the issue, she questioned the state of free speech in the country. “If such steps are being taken for saying something, then where is freedom of speech? There is only freedom of action when there’s hooliganism and women are raped, where else?” she remarked, as per a report in PTI.
Jaya Bachchan also linked the situation to Maharashtra’s political turmoil, drawing attention to the split in the Shiv Sena. Referring to the Eknath Shinde-led faction’s exit from the original party, she asked, “Was that not an insult to Balasaheb Thackeray?”
Kunal Kamra’s Joke On Maharashtra Politics
Kunal Kamra, known for his sharp political satire, took a dig at the shifting political landscape of Maharashtra during one of his recent performances. Without directly naming Eknath Shinde, Kamra humorously pointed out the ongoing splits within the Shiv Sena and the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP).
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He joked, “First Shiv Sena left the BJP, then Shiv Sena left Shiv Sena, then NCP left NCP. A voter now has nine buttons to press… everyone is confused.”
Kamra then hinted at Shinde’s role in this political reshuffle, saying, “One person started it… He comes from a very nice district in Mumbai, Thane.”
The Viral ‘Bholi Si Surat’ Satire
Taking his satire a step further, Kamra modified the lyrics of the popular Bollywood song “Bholi Si Surat” to mock Shinde. His lyrics suggested that the Maharashtra CM frequently moves between different political camps, with references to Guwahati, where Shinde and his MLAs camped before their rebellion.
The lines “Jis thali me khaye usme hi chhed kar jaaye” (He betrays the ones who helped him) and “Mantralay se zyada Fadnavis ki godi me mil jaye” (He is found more in Fadnavis’ lap than in the Mantralaya) stirred controversy.
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