Mumbai: Entertainment aggregator service BookMyShow has removed standup comedian Kunal Kamra from its history list of artists. It has also removed all content related to Kamra from its website.
This decision comes a few days after Yuva Shiv Sena (Shinde faction) general secretary Rahool N Kanal wrote to BookMyShow to refrain from promoting ticket sales for comedian Kunal Kamra’s upcoming shows. He also raised concern over his controversial content and its potential to impact public sentiment. Kanal highlighted that Kamra’s provocative comments could stir public unrest and disturb social harmony, especially in Mumbai, a city renowned for its rich diversity.
This is related to Kamra’s show in which he called Maharashtra deputy chief minister Eknath Shinde (without naming him), a Gaddar or traitor. Shiv Sena (Shinde faction) workers went on a rampage thereafter and vandalised the club-cum-studio where the episode was shot. FIRs were also lodged against Kamra at the Khar police station.
The police have summoned Kamra thrice since then but the comedian is still to appear to face questioning. He moved the Madras High Court and obtained conditional anticipatory bail till April 7.
The performer, who received support from the Shiv Sena (UBT) faction, has not budged from his position and wrote on his official social media handle recently that he would not ‘apologise’ for his act.
Kanal has, meanwhile, thanked BookMyShow for removing Kamra from its site. In a message addressed to the CEO of the company, he wrote: “I am writing to express my sincere gratitude for your continued support of your team to take the said artist out of your sale and promotion listing, thank you for even taking him out of the BookMyShow search history. Your belief in maintaining peace and at the same time respecting our emotions has been instrumental.”
He also thanked the CEO for “keeping your portal clean and keeping such artists out of the list of pure entertainment, cause we all being Mumbaikars love n believe in every form of art but not personal agendas.”
