Stand-up comedian Kunal Kamra has told the Mumbai Police that he will not apologize for calling Maharashtra Deputy CM Eknath Shinde a ‘gaddar’ (traitor) unless ordered by a court. Speaking from Tamil Nadu, Kamra denied allegations that he was paid by political rivals to attack Shinde and even permitted officials to examine his financial records.

The controversy escalated after Maharashtra's Minister of State for Home, Yogesh Kadam, announced an investigation into Kamra's bank transactions and call records. CM Devendra Fadnavis condemned the remarks and demanded an apology, stating that satire should not turn into deliberate insults.

Meanwhile, Shiv Sena leader Sanjay Nirupam alleged that Kamra's performance was politically motivated and warned that party workers "will not leave him" unless he apologizes. An FIR has been filed against Kamra at the MIDC police station, intensifying the dispute further.