Lucknow (Uttar Pradesh) [India], April 6 (HBTV): Stand-up artiste Kunal Kamra, whose alleged disparaging remarks against Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde sparked an uproar, has drawn sharp criticism from Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath.

Yogi Adityanath stated that freedom of expression does not permit individuals to attack others, and added that the law should take action against those 'who are creating differences in the country.'

Mumbai Police registered an FIR against Kamra on March 24, based on a complaint by Shiv Sena MLA Murji Patel. Kamra was subsequently summoned by Mumbai Police on Tuesday.

In an exclusive interview with ANI, the Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister said, 'Freedom of expression is in the realm of law. It should be in the realm of constitutional values. And in that realm, there is freedom of expression. The freedom of your personality cannot be used to attack someone else. It is unfortunate that some people have considered the freedom of this individual as their birthright to divide the country and increase the division. And I feel that the law should take action against such people who are creating a difference in the country.'

The sentiments expressed by the UP CM were echoed by Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, who also condemned the alleged remarks made by Kunal Kamra. Speaking in the state Assembly, Fadnavis said the government would not tolerate freedom of expression if it leads to tyranny.

Kamra had on Sunday shared videos of his stand-up show held at The Habitat venue in Mumbai, after which the venue was ransacked. Police arrested 12 Shiv Sainiks in connection with the vandalism.

On Monday, Kamra issued a statement on his official social media account, declaring that he would not apologise for his act. Responding to political leaders who had allegedly threatened to 'teach him a lesson', he said that 'the inability to take a joke at the expense of a powerful public figure does not change' the nature of his right. He added that, as far as he knew, his actions were not against the law.

'Our right to freedom of speech and expression is not only to be used to fawn over the powerful and rich even though today's media would have us believe otherwise. Your inability to take a joke at the expense of a powerful public figure does not change the nature of my right. As far as I know, it is not against the law to poke fun at our leaders and the circus that is our political system,' Kamra said.

Emphasising that he was willing to cooperate with authorities in any lawful proceedings, Kamra also questioned whether 'the law will be fairly and equally deployed against those who have decided that vandalism is the appropriate response to being offended by a joke.'

He concluded by stating once again that he would not 'apologise' for his remarks and that he did not fear any 'mob.'

(ANI)