Taking a swipe at the ruling alliance in Maharashtra, comedian Kunal Kamra has once again sparked debate with a satirical video targeting the Mahayuti coalition comprising the BJP, Shiv Sena (Shinde faction), and Ajit Pawar’s NCP. The video, shared on social media, is set to a parody version of the iconic song "Hum Honge Kamyaab", which Kamra had previously performed during his stand-up special Naya Bharat in March. This time, he captioned the clip “Lawbreakers”, in reference to a brawl that recently erupted inside the Maharashtra Assembly.
The video shows scenes from the scuffle between BJP and NCP (Sharad Pawar faction) MLAs inside the legislature complex, spliced with visuals of Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis and Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde. As security officials struggled to separate the fighting groups, Kamra used satire to highlight what he sees as a collapse of order under the current government.
Kamra's satirical video once again features his parody of the song “Hum Honge Kaamyab”, which he had twisted into “Hum Honge Kangaal” during a stand-up special in March. In that performance, he referred to Eknath Shinde as a “gaddar” (traitor), mocking his 2022 rebellion that toppled the Uddhav Thackeray-led government. The act drew backlash from Shinde loyalists, with Yuva Sena members vandalising the Habitat Comedy Club where the show was recorded.
Despite threats and legal trouble, including multiple FIRs, Kamra stood by his performance. “Your inability to take a joke at the expense of a powerful public figure does not change the nature of my right,” he said, defending political satire as protected speech. The Bombay High Court later granted him interim relief from arrest, though investigations continue.
The comedian’s video comes in response to a brawl that broke out inside the Maharashtra Legislature complex between supporters of BJP MLA Gopichand Padalkar and NCP (SP) MLA Jitendra Awhad. The scuffle erupted near the main entrance, with viral videos showing both groups trading punches as security personnel struggled to maintain order.
The trigger, according to reports, was a verbal altercation between the two legislators a day earlier. Awhad alleged that Padalkar had deliberately slammed a car door on him. Tensions escalated further when Awhad made a controversial remark referring to a “mangalsutra thief”, seen as a dig at Padalkar, which sparked Thursday's physical confrontation. Two people were reportedly detained by Vidhan Bhavan security in connection with the incident.
Speaking after the clash, Jitendra Awhad alleged that the attack on him was planned. “Goons are being allowed to enter the assembly and the safety of MLAs is in danger,” he claimed. “If MLAs are not safe even inside the Vidhan Bhavan, what is the point of being a public representative?”he added.
Awhad added that he had received abusive and threatening messages following the altercation. “Padalkar’s supporters verbally abused me at the gate. Today I received a death threat. I was abused with references to my mother and sister. This happened while I was inside the Assembly,” he said on X.
Rohit Pawar, NCP (Sharad Pawar faction) MLA and a relative of the party supremo, said, “Now there are even planned attacks inside the Vidhan Bhavan. Maharashtra has become worse than Bihar.”
Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis condemned the incident, calling it “absolutely inappropriate” and promised a detailed investigation. Gopichand Padalkar, MLA from Jat, later apologised, stating, “This is an unfortunate incident. As a member of the legislative house, I express my regret and apologise to the Speaker of the Assembly and Chairperson of the Legislative Council.”
Assembly Speaker Rahul Narwekar has since sought a full report and pledged appropriate action. Cultural Affairs Minister Ashish Shelar called for a probe into the issuing of entry passes, citing overcrowding and a serious lapse in security protocols.
