Nepal, April 15 -- In Milan Kundera's novel 'The Joke', the protagonist, Ludvik, sends a postcard with a satirical message that is misinterpreted by the Communist authorities, leading to severe consequences. This narrative illustrates the regime's intolerance to irony and humour.

The recent kerfuffle surrounding stand-up comedian Kunal Kamra's remarks on Maharashtra's deputy chief minister Eknath Shinde has turned into a cause celebre, once again exposing how uncomfortable the political class feels these days at being the focus of irreverence and humour. The tsunami of outrage from political circles and vandalism at the performance venue, raises deeper questions: Have today's comedians become the proverbial fly in the ointment, daring to...