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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Supreme Court takes suo motu notice of news over dog bite leading to rabies
New Delhi(PTI): The Supreme Court on Monday took suo motu cognisance of a media report of dog bite incident leading to rabies, saying it contained some "alarming and disturbing figures".
A bench of Justices J B Pardiwala and R Mahadevan termed the news item published today in Delhi edition of English daily Times of India as "very disturbing and alarming".
The news report was about the death of a six-year-old girl, who was attacked by a rabid stray dog, in the national capital.
Taking cognisance of the news report, the bench said, "The news item contains some alarming and disturbing figures and facts."
It said every day, hundreds of dog bites were being reported in the city and on its outskirts, leading to rabies and ultimately, children and aged were falling prey to the dreadful disease.
"We take suo motu cognisance of this news item," the bench ordered.
It asked the apex court registry to register it as a suo motu petition in public interest.
"Let this order be placed along with the news report before the Chief Justice of India for appropriate orders," the bench said.
On July 15, while hearing a separate plea alleging harassment over feeding of community dogs in Noida, the apex court had asked the petitioner, "Why don't you feed them in your own house?"
The top court told the petitioner's counsel, "We should leave every lane, every road open for these large hearted people? There is all space for these animals, no space for humans. Why don't you feed them in your own house? Nobody is stopping you."
The observations came in a plea arising out of a March 2025 order of the Allahabad High Court.
The petitioner claimed harassment and said she was unable to feed community dogs in line with the Animal Birth Control Rules.
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