Did Kunal Kamra abuse freedom of speech? This is what Elon Musk’s Grok says over ‘gaddar’ remark on Eknath Shinde

Kunal Kamra controversy: From SP MP Jaya Bachchan to Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Uddhav Thackeray, several political leaders have claimed that the controversy around Kunal Kamra's ‘gaddar’ remark against Eknath Shinde highlights the restrictions on freedom of speech.

As it turns out, Elon Musk's AI tool Grok also shared a similar chain of thought when asked about the Kunal Kamra row.

Grok responds to Kunal Kamra's row

When an X user asked Grok if Kunal Kamra's satire ‘abused freedom of speech,’ Grok said the “critique aligns with legal bounds”.

“Kunal Kamra’s satire calling Eknath Shinde a “traitor” likely didn’t abuse free speech. Indian law protects satire under Article 19(1)(a), as seen in court rulings like Karnataka HC’s stance on comedic expression…” said Grok.

Kunal Kamra controversy

Stand-up comedian Kunal Kamra ignited a massive controversy after referring to Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde as a “traitor” (Gaddar) during his performance at ‘Naya Bharat’.

Intended for comic purposes, Kamra made the comments while performing a modified version of a Hindi song from Dil To Pagal Hai.

Kunal Kamra's comment, “Meri nazar se tum dekho to gaddar nazar wo aaye. Haaye,” has drawn strong criticism from the Shiv Sena party, which demanded legal action against the comedian, including his arrest.

Mumbai's Habitat studio vandalised

In response to the comments, Shiv Sena workers vandalised Mumbai's Habitat studio on Sunday, March 23.

The Shiv Sena accused Kamra of conspiring with Rahul Gandhi, Aditya Thackeray, and Sanjay Raut to malign Shinde’s image. Both sides have filed FIRs.

Shiv Sena leader arrested

To date, the Mumbai Police have arrested 12 people, including Shiv Sena leader Rahul Kanal, for vandalising the Habitat.

Habitat Studio shuts down

Following the vandalism and massive outrage around Kunal Kamra's comments, the Mumbai Habitat Studio shut down.

Earlier in the day, The Habitat, on its Instagram handle, said: “We are shocked, worried and extremely broken by the recent acts of vandalism targeting us. Artists are solely responsible for their views and creative choices. We have never been involved in the content performed by any Artist, but the recent events have made us rethink how we get blamed and targeted every time, almost like we are a proxy for the performer.”

BMC begins demolition at Habitat

Following its closure, the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) demolished small alleged illegal sections of the Habitat Studio.

Maharashtra CM Devendra Fadnavis on Kunal Kamra row

While defending Shinde, Maharashtra CM Devendra Fadnavis said, “Such low-level comedy and disrespecting the Deputy Chief Minister is not right.”

Fadnavis also stated that “Kamra should be aware of the fact that people of Maharashtra have decided who is gaddar (traitor) and khuddar (self-respecting), and it is Shinde ji who is taking Balasaheb Thackeray's legacy forward.”