Mumbai: Questioning the Maharashtra legislature’s privilege action against him, stand-up comedian Kunal Kamra cited a cartoon by Bal Thackeray criticising then Prime Minister Indira Gandhi to argue that the late Shiv Sena founder never faced privilege proceedings.Kamra is facing breach of privilege proceedings over his satirical song targeting deputy chief minister and Shiv Sena chief Eknath Shinde, who claims to be carrying forward Thackeray’s political legacy.The comedian has shared on X a screenshot of his written deposition submitted to the privileges committee of the legislative council, in which he also included Thackeray’s cartoon, while responding to remarks by Shiv Sena minister Pratap Sarnaik. “When we elect our leaders, we must ask ourselves whether these are the individuals we trust with the exercise of these powers and privileges,” the post stated. “Once you get free from threatening artists, take some time out and read this.“Sarnaik had told reporters: “Kamra, whatever he says, a breach of privilege motion has been referred to a committee…but if his business is to sing songs about Shinde in a different way, then he should also understand the aggressive approach of Shiv Sainiks, as seen in the past. He should understand how Sainiks work, and he can learn about it if he wants.”Pointing out that Thackeray lampooned and ridiculed many figures of authority, including PMs, without facing privilege action, Kamra, in his deposition, said: “Over the last year, I have faced multiple proceedings for a joke that I made about a fight for the political legacy of one of India’s most fiery and acclaimed political cartoonists — Balasaheb Thackeray.”“Political satire has been the foundation of the very political ideology that Shinde claims to be the true successor of. One would imagine that defending Thackeray’s political legacy would extend to protecting the freedom of cartoonists and satirists. I hope that these proceedings shine a spotlight on little-known provisions of the Constitution (relating to the breach of legislative/ parliamentary privilege) that can be deployed by elected leaders to threaten or take away the freedom and liberty of citizens. The fact that in a 21st century democracy, elected representatives have the power to institute proceedings against citizens who say things they don’t like, and the power to condemn them to imprisonment for such speech, is something that should concern every citizen,” Karma said in a written submission to the privileges committee.Earlier, Kamra had refused to tender an unconditional apology, saying “his apology would not be sincere and it would set a terrible precedent for other artists and their freedom”. ==============
