Comedian Kunal Kamra shared a newly reposted video on social media Wednesday, featuring a parody song directed at Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman. This move follows significant backlash from a previous parody in which he referred to Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde as a “gaddar” (traitor) during a performance in Mumbai.

In the recently reposted video, Kamra performs a reimagined version of the song “Hawa Hawai,” originally from the 1987 film Mr. India, starring Anil Kapoor and Sridevi. In his comedic take, he highlights the struggles faced by everyday citizens under corporate pressures and a burdensome tax system. His performance critiques not only flawed infrastructure, such as poor roads, but also the perceived lack of urgency from the government in fostering development.

Amidst this controversy, Kamra is facing legal repercussions for his remarks about Shinde. This has led to incidents of vandalism at the venue by Shiv Sena supporters. The Mumbai police have summoned him to answer for his statements, but he has requested additional time to comply through his attorney.

Furthermore, Kamra has not shied away from addressing the ongoing backlash. He recently posted another parody aimed at the Shiv Sena and their protests against him. This latest video features his adapted version of the anthem “Hum honge Kamyaab,” blending political commentary with humor. The visuals accompanying this parody include scenes of Shiv Sena activists demolishing the venue and setting his effigy ablaze, all while his parody “Hum honge kangaal” plays in the background.

The response to Kamra’s work has been mixed; while the ruling Mahayuti alliance in Maharashtra has publicly criticized his jibe at Shinde, he has received support from various opposition groups.

Kunal Kamra’s recent social media activity and parody performances underscore his engagement with political discourse, revealing public sentiments while attracting noteworthy media attention and creating a divisive reaction among political communities.

Congress leader and Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi on Wednesday launched a scathing attack on Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla, accusing him of repeatedly denying him the opportunity to speak in Parliament. The confrontation escalated as Gandhi alleged the House was being run in an “undemocratic manner,” with opposition voices being systematically suppressed.

Speaking to reporters outside Parliament, Gandhi claimed: “I requested him (the Speaker) to let me speak, but he just ran away and did not let me speak. This is no way to run the House.” The Congress MP revealed he had sought to raise critical issues, including preparations for the Maha Kumbh Mela and India’s worsening unemployment crisis, but was consistently blocked.

The clash occurred after Speaker Birla reminded members to adhere to parliamentary decorum, specifically referencing Rule 349 governing member conduct. Without naming Gandhi directly, Birla stated: “Several instances have come to my notice where the conduct of members does not conform to the high standards… Especially, it is expected of the Leader of the Opposition to conduct himself as per the rules.”

The confrontation prompted about 70 Congress MPs, including senior leaders Gaurav Gogoi, KC Venugopal and Manickam Tagore, to meet the Speaker and protest what they called the “denial” of Gandhi’s right to speak. Party sources indicated this was part of a pattern of obstruction, with Gandhi allegedly being prevented from speaking for the entire previous week.

Gandhi’s explosive allegation that “there is no place for democracy here” underscores the worsening relations between the Treasury benches and the Opposition. The Congress leader’s claim that he was “quietly sitting” yet prevented from speaking whenever he stood up suggests a breakdown in normal parliamentary functioning.

The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) on Wednesday conducted searches at the residences of Congress General Secretary and former Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel in Raipur and Bhilai as part of its probe into the Mahadev betting app scam. The raids come just days after Enforcement Directorate (ED) action in a separate case.

According to officials, the CBI arrived at Baghel’s residences before he was scheduled to attend a Congress drafting committee meeting in Delhi. The meeting is in preparation for the upcoming AICC session in Ahmedabad on April 8 and 9.

The investigation pertains to the Mahadev online betting app case, in which over 70 FIRs have reportedly been filed across multiple police stations in Madhya Pradesh, following the state government’s clearance for a CBI probe last year.

Congress slams BJP, alleges misuse of central agencies

Reacting to the CBI action, the Chhattisgarh Congress accused the ruling BJP of political vendetta. Sushil Anand Shukla, head of the party’s state communication wing, alleged that central agencies are being used to intimidate opposition leaders.

“Ever since Bhupesh Baghel took charge of Punjab as party in-charge, BJP has become uneasy. First the ED, now the CBI. This is BJP’s way of silencing political opponents when it cannot counter them democratically,” said Shukla.

The Congress maintained that neither the party nor its senior leaders were “scared” by such moves, and described the action as part of BJP’s “oppressive” political strategy.

Mahadev betting and liquor scam cases

The CBI action follows an ED crackdown just weeks earlier. On March 10, the agency conducted raids at 14 locations in Chhattisgarh’s durg district, including the residence Bhupesh and his son, Chaitanya Baghel, in connection with a liquor scam case.

Following these raids, Baghel had publicly disclosed that Rs 33 lakh in cash was found at his residence, which he said was his personal income from farming, dairy, and family savings.

As per the ED, it has so far seized, attached, or frozen assets worth Rs 2,295 crore linked to the Mahadev app case. In the liquor scam, the agency claimed that illegal proceeds worth Rs 2,100 crore were generated, causing significant financial loss to the Chhattisgarh exchequer.