Daniel Fernandes on the Price of Political Comedy
The Kunal Kamra controversy has reignited an important question: Is there any space for political comedy in India?
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A video uploaded by comedian Kunal Kamra on Sunday cascaded into a national controversy after a group of Shiv Sena workers vandalised The Habitat, the venue in Mumbai where the stand-up set was recorded.
In the video, Kamra poked fun at Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde, referring to him as "gaddar" (traitor). Although he did not mention Shinde by name, the remark instigated the party workers enough to barge into the venue and vandalise the place.
A case was later filed against both the party workers and Kamra. Meanwhile, the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) bulldozed part of The Habitat the following day.
The violent escalation has reignited an important question: Is there any space for political comedy in India?
The Quint spoke with comedian Daniel Fernandes, who has been in the industry for 15 years and is one of the few still performing political comedy.
"Used as Pawns by People in Power"
"The average person on the street does not give a damn about what Samay Raina said, what Kunal Kamra said, or what I have said," said Fernandes. "They are worried about putting food on the table, having a roof over their head, and sending their kids to school. We're just used as pawns by people in power."
He argued that the accountability should not fall on comedians but on citizens, who should voice their opinions to the government regarding actions taken over a joke.
Fernandes himself faced backlash from politicians last year for a joke he made, leading to the cancellation of his shows and threats. However, he maintains that political comedy should have no boundaries.
"There is scope for political comedy, but it comes at a price," he said. "Right now, probably just three or four of us are talking about politics at all. There would be a whole lot more if people had a sense of humour."
Watch the full video here.