Comedian Kunal Kamra recently had an interesting encounter with Republic TV chief Arnab Goswami on an IndiGo flight where he mercilessly trolled the anchor. Kamra shot a video of the encounter and shared it on social media where it quickly went viral.
The clip may be viewed here:
I did this for my hero…
I did it for Rohit pic.twitter.com/aMSdiTanHo— Kunal Kamra (@kunalkamra88) January 28, 2020
Kamra claimed he gave Goswami a taste of his own brand of journalism for his reportage on the institutional murder of Dalit scholar Rohith Vemula. In a statement released online Kamra said, “I don’t regret it. I’m not sorry for it. Kamra’s entire statement may be read here:
*My Statement* pic.twitter.com/cxFcSCq0Jf
— Kunal Kamra (@kunalkamra88) January 28, 2020
Shortly afterwards, IndiGo Airlines suspended Kamra from flying with them for a period of six months. In a statement released online, the airline said, “In light of the recent incident on board 6E 5317 from Mumbai to Lucknow, we wish to inform that we are suspending Mr. Kunal Kamra from flying with IndiGo for a period of six months, as his conduct onboard was unacceptable behaviour.” They added, “Hereby, we wish to advise our passengers to refrain from indulging in personal slander whilst onboard, as this can potentially compromise the safety of fellow passengers.”
Air India followed suit, barring Kamra from flying with them indefinitely. Their statement said, “In view of the incident onboard @IndiGo6E , Air India wishes to inform that conduct of Person concerned is unacceptable.With a view to discourage such behavior onboard flts, Mr Kunal Kamra is suspended from flying on any Air India flt until further notice.”
This suspension from Air India is curious given how Kamra wasn’t even flying using their airline. But given how Air India is still a public owned national carrier, it is clear that by picking a fight with Goswami, Kamra has made it into the bad books of government officials.
Meanwhile, Kamra has received both bouquets and brickbats for his mid-air encounter with Goswami. Some of the responses may be read here:
Hilarious how when he is confronted by his imaginary “Tukde Tukde Gang” outside the studio, the man is completely silent.
Studio mein ghuste hi phirse bawaal shuru ho jaega.
— Meghnad (@Memeghnad) January 28, 2020
It’s well known Goswami is mild mannered in real life. I don’t like him or his journalism but confronting him like this that too on a plane whether legal or not is very problematic and for the precedent it sets. Next time it could happen to someone we like or to any one of us.
— Rupa Subramanya (@rupasubramanya) January 28, 2020
No. Enough is enough.
Arnab’s daily venom is endangering the lives of Muslims and dissidents. By constantly calling them anti-national, calling for vague “action” against them. He should be confronted by the consequences of his Radio Rwanda levels of genocidal rhetoric.— Shivam Bahuguna (@JanusBlinked) January 28, 2020
Imagine, this man becomes one man army in his studio who can kill and destroy anybody who speaks against his masters. What a shameless coward he has proved himself to be. Does he have face to show again on national tv? More power to you Kunal.
— Col Baljit Bakshi (Retd) (@BaljitBakshi) January 28, 2020
I think your behaviour was so uncool!U might have a problem with his views but you can’t behave like a heckling goon in a ✈️ ! Can’t bully people into talking w u if they don’t want to! I don’t agree w many people but I always conduct myself w civility in public sphere! ?
— Shazia Ilmi (@shaziailmi) January 28, 2020