Ramdas Athawale Criticizes Kunal Kamra Over Song on Eknath Shinde

By A Staff Reporter

Mumbai: Union Minister Ramdas Athawale has criticized stand-up comedian Kunal Kamra over his recent satirical song targeting Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde. Athawale asserted that artists should refrain from making politically charged statements and accused Kamra of selective criticism.

"If he is an artist, he should not sing songs to criticise anyone. He should not get into such issues. It is not right to use such language," Athawale said while addressing reporters.

The minister further questioned Kamra’s stance, arguing that if he considered Shinde a traitor, he should apply the same logic to former Maharashtra CM Uddhav Thackeray. "If he wants to call Eknath Shinde a traitor, he should first call Uddhav Thackeray a traitor because he, too, has betrayed the BJP," he added.

Athawale suggested that Kamra focus on his craft without indulging in political controversies. "If he wants to be a good artist, he should not sing such songs," he remarked.

The controversy comes amid ongoing political tensions in Maharashtra, with the BJP-Shiv Sena (Shinde faction) alliance and the opposition Shiv Sena (UBT) frequently exchanging barbs. Kamra, known for his sharp political satire, has yet to respond to Athawale’s comments.