Kunal Kamra
Credit: X/@kunalkamra88
Mumbai: Shiv Sena leader Rahool Kanal has shot off a letter to BookMyShow, urging them to stop providing a ticketing platform for stand-up comedian Kunal Kamra’s future shows.
Kanal is Shiv Sena’s social media in-charge and Yuva Sena general secretary.
Though Kanal has mentioned that he writes in his “individual capacity”, he has written on the party's official letterhead - making the message very clear.
The letter has been addressed to Ashish Hemrajani, Chief Executive Officer, Big Tree Entertainment Pvt Ltd, under which BookMyShow operates.
“I, Rahool N. kanal, am addressing you the present letter in my individual capacity as a concerned citizen to bring to your attention a matter of significant public interest concerning the operations of BookMyShow, a reputable platform under the aegis of Big Tree Entertainment. It has come to my notice that BookMyShow has previously facilitated ticket sales for shows featuring Kunal Kamra, an individual with a documented history of habitual criminal behavior,” he said.
According to Kanal, Kamra has been observed to engage in a sustained campaign of vilification and defamation, targeting the Prime Minister of India, Chief Ministers, Deputy Chief Ministers, and other public figures. “These actions appear to be part of a broader criminal conspiracy, driven by ulterior motives that extend far beyond the realm of humor or satire,” he said.
“Kamra's premeditated, scripted, provocative, and malicious statements have consistently crossed ethical and legal boundaries. Such remarks not only hurt the sentiments of the public at large but also have the potential to incite public mischief and disrupt social harmony. By providing a platform for his performances, BookMyShow inadvertently lends credibility and reach to an individual whose actions threaten public order, particularly in a vibrant and diverse city like Mumbai, where your company is headquartered,” he said.
“I trust that, as a responsible organization committed to the well-being of its audience and the community, BookMyShow will take this matter into serious consideration and act in the larger interest of maintaining peace and harmony,” he said.