Kunal Kamra delisted by 'BookMyShow'
Indian comedian receives death threats and police summons; free speech debate reignites in India
Mumbai, India – Indian stand-up comedian Kunal Kamra has found himself at the centre of a fresh controversy after online ticketing platform 'BookMyShow' reportedly removed all listings and content related to him. The decision follows growing political pressure spearheaded by Rahool N Kanal, General Secretary of Yuva Shiv Sena, a youth wing of the Shiv Sena political party.
The move comes days after Kanal wrote to BookMyShow urging the platform to suspend ticket sales for Kamra's upcoming shows. In a letter dated April 02, and shared publicly on X (formerly Twitter), Kanal accused Kamra of running a 'campaign of vilification' against public figures, including India's Prime Minister and deputy chief ministers. He cited Kamra's satirical content as grounds for the request.
BookMyShow has yet to release an official statement clarifying its position. However, users have noted that Kamra's artist profile and scheduled shows have been removed from the platform. Kamra responded via social media, posting:
'Hello @bookmyshow can you please confirm if I have your platform to list my shows? If not, it's fine. I understand.' Kamra also added, he had not received any formal communication from the platform regarding the status of his shows.
The comedian's legal troubles began after he made veiled remarks during a performance in Mumbai about Maharashtra's Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde. This led to the issuance of a third police summons under allegations of defamation and inciting public mischief. On Monday, Mumbai Police officers reportedly visited Kamra's residence, intensifying the legal pressure.
Amidst the political and legal fallout, Kamra revealed that he had received approximately 500 death threats, prompting him to leave Mumbai and relocate temporarily to Tamil Nadu. He has since approached the Madras High Court and secured interim protection from arrest in connection with the FIR filed against him.
Kamra's supporters have condemned BookMyShow's alleged capitulation to political pressure, describing the move as a worrying sign for artistic freedom and freedom of expression in India. Critics argue that satire, particularly political satire, is a legitimate form of commentary in any democracy and should not be curtailed under external pressure.
The situation continues to evolve, with no comment yet from BookMyShow and growing scrutiny from the public and media alike.
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