Comedian Kunal Kamra is in the eye of the storm because of a joke he made on Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde. The venue where he performed has been vandalized, and the hotel where the comedy club was located has also been damaged. An FIR has also been lodged against him.

However, he said that he doesn’t fear the mob and “won’t apologize for his comments.” While the state government is seeking a sincere apology from him, Mr. Kamra, in a statement issued late Monday, stated that he’ll “cooperate with the police and courts for any lawful action taken against me.”

“To those who are busy leaking my number or calling me incessantly: I am sure you’ve realized by now that all unknown calls go to my voicemail, where you will be subjected to the very song you hate. To the media faithfully reporting this circus: Remember that press freedom in India ranks at 159. I will not apologize. What I said is exactly what Mr. Ajit Pawar (1st deputy CM) said about Mr. Eknath Shinde (2nd Deputy CM) I don’t fear this mob & I will not be hiding under my bed, waiting for this to die down,” he posted in his account on social media platform X.