2 minutes of readingBombayUpdated: Feb 4, 2026 09:37 pm IST
Comedian Kunal Kamra was asked to testify in person on February 17 before the Privileges Committee of the Maharashtra Legislative Council in connection with a breach of privileges motion passed against him. about your comments on Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde.
Legislative Council Privileges Committee chairman Prasad Lad said on Wednesday that Kamra informed the committee that he would not be able to come to Bombay for the first mandatory hearing. “Kunal Kamra has communicated his inability to appear today. He has now been given February 17 to testify before the committee,” Lad said.
The comedian, in March last year, had posted a video of his act on his YouTube channel that featured a parody song referring to the Shinde rebellion against the Uddhav Thackeray-led Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) government in 2022, using the term “gaddar (traitor)”.
It had sparked backlash from the Shinde-led Shiv Sena and debates in both Houses of the legislature. BJP MLC Pravin Darekar had moved the motion, alleging that the comments insulted a popular leader and constituted a violation of the privilege of the House.
The committee also rescheduled the hearings of Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Sushma Andhare and NCP (SP) worker Suryakant More.
Separate breach of privilege motions were filed against Andhare for a video supporting Kamra and against More for alleged derogatory comments against Legislative Council president Ram Shinde.
Lad said More, who was due to testify on Wednesday, cited traffic on the Mumbai-Pune Expressway and has been told to appear on February 16, while Andhare, who said she was busy with the Zilla Parishad election campaign, has also been asked to appear on February 17.
Story continues below this ad.
The chairman said the committee must grant three mandatory hearings and Wednesday was the first, but all three did not show up. “Prima facie, they have committed a crime. Once they testify before the committee, we will show them their videos and the hearing will be recorded,” Lad said.