Jaya Bachchan Backs Kunal Kamra Amid Row, Questions Freedom of Speech: ‘You’re Anyway in a Bad Situation’

Jaya Bachchan Backs Kunal Kamra Amid Row, Questions Freedom of Speech: The retaliation against Kunal Kamra from actor-Samajwadi Party (SP) MP Jaya Bachchan has continued amid the ongoing loose comments of Kunal against the Maharashtra deputy chief minister Eknath Shinde. Jaya raised questions on the limits of free expression in front of the media at the Parliament premises.

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Jaya went on to make observations on the uproar and vandalization of a comedy club. The actor-turned-politician said this while being quoted by the news agency ANI, "If there is a restriction on speaking, what will become of you? You are anyway in a bad situation. There are restrictions on you. You would be told to speak just on this and nothing else, that do not interview Jaya Bachchan."

She added, "Where is freedom of speech? There is freedom of action only when there is a ruckus - beat up the opposition, rape women, murder them. What else? You (Eknath Shinde) left your real party and formed another party for power. Isn't that an insult of Balasaheb?"

Defending Kunal's right to free speech against the attack on the Mumbai venue where the show was shot were several other politicians, including Shiv Sena (UBT) MPs. Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Arvind Sawant defended Kunal, asserting that every remark made by the comedian in the special comedy Naya Bharat was accurate.

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What did Kunal say, all about row

While the Shiv Sena vandalized the club, Kamra was alleged to have made some defamatory remarks against Shinde. The comic show at the Habitat Comedy Club in Mumbai was disrupted when a group of the Shiv Sena (Eknath Shinde-led faction) youth wing barged into the venue during a completely different live show, stopped the show in progress, and destroyed the set to a great extent. An FIR has now been lodged against Kunal for his defamatory remarks and the youth wing of the Shiv Sena for vandalism.

Sub Inspector Vijay of Khar police station said that Kunal's stand-up special Naya Bharat drew the wrath of the youth group on the comedy club. The actions of the Shiv Sena youth wing have created a wide debate regarding protest and free expression.

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