Hindi English Translation || Editorial || ​No country for comedy: On Kunal Kamra and Maharashtra

​No country for comedy: On Kunal Kamra and Maharashtra

India’s politicians are showing intolerance of satire

The violent reaction to comedian Kunal Kamra’s satirical remark about Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde is not merely a sign of rising intolerance (असहिष्णुता) — it also highlights how such intolerance can escalate beyond police cases into acts of vandalism (तोड़फोड़, विध्वंस) and open intimidation (धमकी, भयभीत करना), aimed at asserting political dominance (प्रभुत्व, वर्चस्व). Mr. Kamra’s use of the word ‘gaddar (traitor’) in a parody (A humorous imitation of a serious piece of literature, music, or person) of a Hindi film song, seemingly targeting an unnamed politician’s rise, has reportedly offended Mr. Shinde’s supporters and other Shiv Sena members. In a bizarre act of misplaced retaliation (प्रतिशोध, बदला), a group attacked ‘Habitat’, the studio where Mr. Kamra had performed — an attempt to impose vicarious (Experienced through another person rather than directly) liability on the venue instead of the artist. The Mumbai police booked Mr. Kamra under provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) related to promoting enmity and causing public mischief, as well as defamation (मानहानि, बदनामी). However, it is well-established that defamation charges can only be initiated by the aggrieved party, and not by the police. In a now-familiar display of power being weaponised, the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) conveniently discovered unauthorised structures outside the venue and demolished them, continuing to probe for further “irregularities”. The first information report against Mr. Kamra appears to be a clear misuse of laws meant to address divisive (विभाजनकारी) speech. It essentially criminalises satire (व्यंग्य) directed at a public figure’s political actions. Politicians being labelled as traitors or turncoats after switching parties is hardly new — ironically, Ajit Pawar of the Nationalist Congress Party, who once used the same term, now serves alongside Mr. Shinde as Deputy Chief Minister.

The Maharashtra government is now demanding a public apology from Mr. Kamra, which he has refused, though he has expressed his willingness to cooperate with any lawful investigation. It is incumbent (पदधारी) upon the State government to ensure its actions remain within legal bounds and not appear as arbitrary retaliations. While it is commendable that a few Shiv Sena members have been booked for the vandalism, the case must be pursued to its logical end. The invocation of “hurt sentiments” to justify violent loyalty has gone too far. Increasingly, such claims are being used to legitimise mob attacks, undermining the free and open space essential for democratic discourse.

Courtesy: The Hindu

Important Word List With Meaning

1.Intolerance (Noun)

Hindi Meaning - असहिष्णुता
English Meaning - Unwillingness to accept views, beliefs, or behavior different from one's own

2.Satire (Noun)

Hindi Meaning - व्यंग्य
English Meaning - The use of humor, irony, or ridicule to criticize or expose people’s stupidity or vices

3.Vandalism (Noun)

Hindi Meaning - तोड़फोड़, विध्वंस
English Meaning - Deliberate destruction or damage to property

4.Intimidation (Noun)

Hindi Meaning - धमकी, भयभीत करना
English Meaning - The act of frightening someone to make them do what you want.

5.Dominance (Noun)

Hindi Meaning - प्रभुत्व, वर्चस्व
English Meaning - Power and influence over others

6.Bizzare (Adjective)

Hindi Meaning - विचित्र, अजीब
English Meaning - Very strange or unusual

7.Retaliation (Noun)

Hindi Meaning - प्रतिशोध, बदला
English Meaning - The act of returning an attack; revenge.

8.Defamation (Noun)

Hindi Meaning - मानहानि, बदनामी
English Meaning - The act of harming someone's reputation by making false statements.

9.Divisive (Adjective)

Hindi Meaning - विभाजनकारी
English Meaning - Causing disagreement or hostility between people.

10.Incumbent (Adjective)

Hindi Meaning - पदधारी
English Meaning - Currently holding a specific position or office.

11.Parody (Noun)

English Meaning - A humorous imitation of a serious piece of literature, music, or person.

12.Vicarious (Adjective)

English Meaning - Experienced through another person rather than directly.