When Jokes Become a Crime in Indian Politics

India is the only country in the world that aspires to be a developed nation—Viksit Bharat—in a few years, yet its leaders and people get worked up too easily and can’t even tolerate comedy shows or jibes at politicians in power.

Although politicians taking themselves too seriously is not a new trend, the level of intolerance has reached unprecedented heights. Contrast this with none other than US President Donald Trump, who participated in a “roast show” in his last term.

The latest controversy over a satire by comedian Kunal Kamra, mocking Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde’s political somersault, is laughable. However, his supporters taking the law into their own hands is a serious issue. All Kamra did was parody a popular Hindi song to make fun of Shinde for ditching his former boss, Uddhav Thackeray, and splitting the Shiv Sena.

The facts were clear—Shinde had rebelled, disappeared for some time, then re-emerged in Guwahati before joining hands with his former political rivals. His supporters were incensed because they claim he heads the “real” Shiv Sena.

This led them to vandalize the venue [see video here] where the show had been recorded several days earlier. What justification is there for damaging property and indulging in violence over a pre-recorded show? Clearly, the intent was to send a message that mocking their leader was intolerable.

Instead of condemning the mob violence, Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, the chief beneficiary of Shinde’s rebellion, asked the comedian to seek forgiveness for his comments! He condemned Kamra’s remarks and warned that those who defame others for “personal gains” would face action—though he, of course, did not clarify what “personal gains” Kamra might have made.

Shinde himself claimed that Kamra was speaking “on behalf of someone with an agenda,” even though he distanced himself from the vandalism carried out by his own party workers. Kamra, known for taking on political leaders in power, has displayed moral courage by refusing to apologize to the Shinde-led Shiv Sena. Standing firm in the face of illogical yet dangerous actions by Shinde’s supporters is no small act.

Kamra pointed out that he had said nothing more than what Maharashtra’s other Deputy Chief Minister, Ajit Pawar, had once said about Shinde. That is also a fact, widely available in the public domain, before the two joined hands with the BJP to form the state government.

Ironically, Shiv Sena founder Bal Thackeray, whose legacy Shinde claims, was himself a well-known cartoonist who often mocked political leaders through his cartoons.

The Maharashtra police have registered two FIRs, including one against Kamra for allegedly making statements to create “public mischief” and for defamation. They also filed an FIR against those who vandalized the venue, arresting 11 rioters—who were released the same day.

However, the government made its intentions clear by demolishing part of the building where the show was recorded, despite the Supreme Court’s explicit directive that no demolition should be carried out without giving ample notice to the alleged violator.

The vandalism in Mumbai comes just days after another ridiculous controversy in Maharashtra over Aurangzeb, where demands were made to remove his 300-year-old tomb.

A section of Shiv Sena workers, evidently egged on by their leaders, has gained a reputation for being intolerant of any criticism and taking the law into their own hands. The fact that such incidents occur in the financial and entertainment capital of the country is all the more concerning.

However, this malaise is not confined to Maharashtra. Another well-known comedian, Vir Das, was booked after his performance at the Kennedy Center in Washington, where he spoke about “two Indias.” Worse still, comedian Munawar Faruqui was barred from performing merely on the apprehension that he might say something unpalatable to a section of people.

Although Maharashtra, particularly the Shiv Sena, frequently makes headlines for its intolerance toward comedians, other states and parties are not immune to this trend.

In Trinamool Congress-ruled West Bengal, a professor was arrested simply for forwarding a cartoon depicting Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee. Recently, two women journalists were arrested in Congress-ruled Telangana for writing an article critical of the Chief Minister.

If anyone, including a comedian or an influencer, exceeds legal boundaries, there are already enough provisions in the law to deal with them.

Such intolerance may be expected in despotic regimes, but in the world’s largest democracy—one that aims to be a developed country—there should be no room for such rowdy elements.

This article is also published in Punjab Today News and can be read here.