Can I be ignored?: Kunal Kamra challenges Maharashtra CM Fadnavis after being called 'worthless'
Mumbai: Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis has triggered controversy with his recent remarks about stand-up comedian Kunal Kamra, referring to him as "worthless" and suggesting that politicians should avoid reacting to such individuals to deny them undue attention. Fadnavis was speaking at an event hosted by The Indian Express when he commented, "Inki aukat nahi hai (They are not worth it). Reacting to them only increases their stature. It is wiser to ignore such people politically."
The remark came in reference to Kamra's past criticism of the government, particularly Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde. In March this year, Kamra’s performance at Mumbai’s Habitat Studio drew backlash from Shiv Sena workers, who vandalised the venue following allegations that the comedian made defamatory comments about Shinde.
In an immediate and sardonic retort, Kamra took to social media, sharing a clip of Fadnavis’s statement and issuing an open challenge to the Maharashtra government. “Hello @Dev\_Fadnavis, you’re right. Politically it’s better to ignore me. I have no aukat & only four people watch my show. Please can I be ignored?” Kamra wrote.
Adding a pointed jab, Kamra listed his planned comedy tour locations across Maharashtra this October, including Thane, Navi Mumbai, Mumbai, Pune, Nashik, Nagpur, and Aurangabad and mockingly requested coordination with CM Shinde and his party.
Kamra, who is known for his sharp political satire and outspoken criticism of the BJP-led governments, has often faced censorship, show cancellations, and protests. His ongoing friction with the Maharashtra administration once again raises concerns about freedom of expression and the tolerance of political dissent through artistic mediums.
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Man arrested with Rs 2.54-crore heroin in Mumbai
Mumbai (PTI): Police have arrested a man and seized over 500 grams of heroin worth Rs 2.54 crore in the illicit market from him in Mumbai, officials said on Friday.
The police's Anti-Narcotics Cell (ANC) made the drug seizure in Santacruz in the western suburbs. The operation was conducted by the Kandivali unit of the ANC on Thursday as part of a special crackdown against drug trafficking in the area, they said.
Acting on specific inputs, an ANC team conducted a raid in Santacruz (East) and intercepted a man. During a search, the team recovered 508 grams of high-grade heroin from his possession, an official said.
The seized contraband, a highly addictive, opioid drug derived from morphine, is estimated to be worth Rs 2.54 crore in the international market, he informed.
Following the seizure, a case was registered against the man under relevant sections of the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act, 1985, and he was formally placed under arrest in the early hours of Friday.
The police are currently investigating the source of the drug and trying to identify the intended recipients of the consignment, he said.
