Kunal Kamra Denies Seeking Adjournment in Privilege Committee Proceedings
Stand-up comedian Kunal Kamra has firmly rejected assertions made by the Privilege Committee of the Maharashtra Legislative Council, stating that he never requested an adjournment in the ongoing proceedings against him. The controversy stems from a breach-of-privilege motion passed against Kamra for his remarks about Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde during a live event in Mumbai last year.
Kamra's Statement on the Hearing
In a detailed post on social media platform X, Kamra clarified his position. He explained that he was summoned to appear before the Privilege Committee on February 5, 2026, via a letter dated January 23, 2026, which was only served to him on January 29, 2026. Despite the short notice, Kamra confirmed his attendance by sending an email on January 30, 2026, stating he would attend the hearing with his lawyer. He emphasized that he flew to Mumbai specifically for this purpose on Wednesday.
Kamra told The Indian Express to treat his social media post as his official statement on the matter. He recounted receiving a call from an officer at the Vidhan Sabha around 6 pm on Wednesday, informing him that the hearing would be adjourned. This was followed by a formal letter confirming the adjournment. Kamra pointed out that the letter from the Committee clearly indicated the adjournment was not at his request. He added that he has not been informed of the next hearing date, though media reports suggest it might be on February 17.
Committee's Claims and Kamra's Response
On Wednesday, Prasad Lad, the chairman of the Legislative Council's Privilege Committee, stated that Kamra had communicated his inability to attend the first mandatory hearing in Mumbai. Lad mentioned that Kamra has now been given February 17 to depose before the committee. However, Kamra maintained that he had sought no adjournment and remains willing to cooperate fully with the proceedings.
Kamra also raised concerns about confidentiality, noting that all communications from the Committee have stated the proceedings are confidential. Despite this, he observed that notices addressed to him appear to have been leaked to the media, and the Chairman of the Committee has been giving statements to the media about developments in the proceedings.
Background of the Case
The breach-of-privilege motion against Kamra was initiated following his remarks about Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde at a live event in Mumbai last year. The Privilege Committee was tasked with investigating this matter, leading to the summons for Kamra to depose in person. The case has drawn significant public attention, highlighting tensions between public figures and legislative bodies over freedom of speech and parliamentary privileges.
Kamra's denial of seeking an adjournment adds a new layer to this ongoing legal and political dispute, as he continues to assert his readiness to participate in the hearings while questioning the transparency of the process.
