Stand-up Comedian Kunal Kamra lands into fresh legal trouble over his satirical remarks on Maharashtra Deputy CM Eknath Shinde, with three FIRs filed against him at Mumbai’s Khar police station. The controversy has snowballed into multiple legal complaints, venue vandalism, and strong political backlash, while the comedian maintains that humour is his constitutional right.

Complaints were lodged by the Jalgaon Mayor, a Nashik hotelier, and a businessman, after Kamra allegedly referred to Shinde as a gaddar during one of his stand-up show.

Despite being summoned three times, including one for March 31, Kamra has not appeared for questioning.

Meanwhile, the Madras High Court granted interim anticipatory bail till April 7, after Kamra cited threats and harassment following his performance.

Amid political outrage, Yuva Sena workers vandalised the Habitat comedy venue where the show was recorded. Kamra defended the venue, saying it cannot be blamed for his content. He further clarified that the venue is not responsible for his material and that he alone is accountable for his words.

Yuva Sena is the youth wing of Eknath Shinde’s Shiv Sena faction.

In a statement and on X, Kamra slammed the media as vultures accusing them of being a miscommunication arm of the ruling party. “Your inability to take a joke at the expense of a public figure doesn’t change my right to say it,” Kamra said, defending his right to satire.

However, Kamra refuses to apologise, but says he’s ready to cooperate — just not in person, yet.

As the holy month of Ramadan enters its final stretch, anticipation is building across the globe for Eid-ul-Fitr 2025, the grand festival that marks the end of fasting and spiritual reflection. But just like every year, the big question remains — when will Eid be celebrated?

The answer isn’t a fixed calendar date — it depends on something far more celestial: the sighting of the new crescent moon, which signals the beginning of the Islamic month of Shawwal.

According to Islamic tradition and astronomical calculations, Eid-ul-Fitr 2025 is expected to fall on either March 30 or 31 in Saudi Arabia, and March 31 or April 1 in India, depending on the visibility of the moon after sunset.

Why does the date vary across countries?

Islamic months are based on the lunar calendar, and the appearance of a young waxing crescent moon is essential to declare the end of Ramadan. As per Islamic Shariah, a new lunar month starts only after the moon is sighted with the naked eye under favorable weather conditions. If the moon isn’t sighted, Ramadan is extended to 30 days.

What does the science say?

This year, the astronomical conjunction — when the moon transitions from invisibility to reappearance — is expected to occur on March 29, 2025, at 16:27 IST. Using the Babylonian Criterion, which requires the crescent to be at least 24 hours old and visible for a minimum of 48 minutes after sunset, predictions have been made across various cities in the Indian subcontinent and Middle East.

Observation teams, relying on astronomy and optical science, will make the final confirmation based on local visibility — making it possible for Eid to be observed on different days in different regions, including Saudi Arabia, UAE, UK, USA, and India.

A celebration rooted in the moon and unity

Eid-ul-Fitr is much more than a holiday. It is a celebration of unity, generosity, and gratitude observed by Muslims across the world — regardless of borders or backgrounds. From bustling city streets in India to serene deserts of the Middle East, from American suburbs to London’s multicultural neighborhoods, Muslims everywhere eagerly await the crescent moon’s sighting to begin their joyous day of Eid.

So, while the dates may differ slightly, the spirit of Eid remains beautifully shared.

The Kolhapur court on Friday extended the police custody of former journalist Prashant Koratkar till March 30, in connection with his controversial remarks against Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj and his son Sambhaji Maharaj.

Koratkar was arrested earlier this week by Maharashtra police from Telangana after a phone conversation surfaced online in which he allegedly made derogatory comments and issued threats.

The case stems from a telephonic exchange between Koratkar and Kolhapur-based historian Indrajeet Sawant. The conversation, which Sawant later shared on social media, sparked widespread public outrage. Koratkar has been booked under provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita for promoting enmity between groups.

During his appearance in Kolhapur court on Friday, tensions flared as a lawyer verbally abused him while he was being escorted out of the court complex. However, police confirmed that no physical altercation took place.

Koratkar had earlier been granted interim protection from arrest until March 1 by Additional Sessions Judge D.V. Kashyap. However, following the interim relief, Kolhapur police moved the Bombay High Court seeking cancellation of the order. The Bombay HC directed the local sessions court to examine the matter.

Subsequently, on March 18, Judge D.V. Kashyap rejected Koratkar’s anticipatory bail plea, leading to his arrest.

The defence argued in court that Koratkar is the sole earning member of his family, and prolonged detention would cause undue hardship. However, the court upheld the prosecution’s request for extended remand to continue investigations.