Comedian Kunal Kamra has accused music label T-Series of issuing a copyright strike against his recent stand-up special, “Naya Bharat,” on YouTube. The performance, which includes a parody song criticizing Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde, was flagged for copyright infringement, leading to restricted visibility and monetization on the platform.
Kamra contends that his use of the material falls under fair use provisions, emphasizing that parody and satire are legally protected forms of expression. He stated, “I haven’t used the lyrics or the original instrumental of the song. If you take this video down, every cover song/dance video can be taken down.”
The controversy began after Kamra’s performance at Mumbai’s Habitat Comedy Club, where he performed a satirical song labeling Shinde a “gaddar” (traitor) for his 2022 political switch. Following the online release of the performance, supporters of Shinde’s Shiv Sena party vandalized the club. The police arrested over 10 individuals, including Shiv Sena’s youth leader Rahul Kanal.
Kamra has been summoned by Mumbai Police for questioning regarding the content of his performance. He maintains that his work is a legitimate exercise of free speech and has refused to apologize.
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This incident has sparked a broader debate on freedom of expression in India, highlighting the challenges faced by artists and creators in navigating political sensitivities and copyright issues.
