Mumbai: Stand-up comedian Kunal Kamra has expressed his willingness to cooperate with the investigation into his remarks about Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde but has ruled out issuing an apology.

The Mumbai Police registered an FIR against Kamra for allegedly calling Shinde a "traitor" during a show. Following this, officers contacted the comedian on Monday evening. According to sources, Kamra, who is currently in Puducherry, responded to their inquiries and assured full cooperation with the legal proceedings.

"Kunal Kamra said, 'I will do whatever is required under the law, but I will not apologise. I will do whatever is required within the legal framework,'" a source cited.

The police, however, clarified that they have not summoned Kamra for questioning at this stage.

Political reactions intensify

The controversy has triggered strong reactions from both ruling and opposition parties. Shiv Sena has demanded an unconditional apology from Kamra, while Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, speaking in the state assembly, promised strict action against the comedian.

"He (Kunal Kamra) targeted Eknath Shinde in his low-grade comedy. I want to tell Kunal Kamra that he should know that the people elected Eknath Shinde. Kamra and others want to gain fame by creating controversy. Kamra should know that the 2024 elections have shown who is a traitor and who enjoys respect and support. Kunal Kamra is not bigger than the public as everyone else knows that Eknath Shinde follows the ideology of late Balasaheb Thackeray," Fadnavis said.

He further criticized the Opposition for supporting Kamra.

"The opposition stands in favour of Kunal Kamra, someone tweeted in favour of Kunal Kamra. Have you (opposition) given 'supari' to Kunal Kamra? Rahul Gandhi shows a book of the Constitution and Kunal Kamra tweeted his photo with the Constitution. We like comedy and do watch it. Freedom of speech is there but it should be exercised within the limits of the Constitution," he added.

Meanwhile, opposition leaders, including Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray and his son Aaditya Thackeray, have defended Kamra, arguing that he has not named Shinde directly.

"If he hasn’t named Deputy CM Shinde, then who should he apologise to?" they questioned.

Additionally, the Opposition has condemned the vandalism of Kamra’s studio by Shiv Sena activists and has demanded that the government recover the costs from those responsible. IANS