India, April 10 -- Appearing before the Maharashtra legislative council's privileges committee for the third time, stand-up comedian Kunal Kamra on Thursday refused to apologise for his parody song performed during a show last year that allegedly indirectly referred to deputy chief minister Eknath Shinde as a "traitor".

During the hearing at Vidhan Bhavan, the privileges committee asked Kamra 24 questions regarding the allegedly derogatory remarks, including whether he regretted his actions and wants to apologise. The comedian was firm that he would not apologise, according to committee members who attended the hearing.

The panel then asked Kamra to submit his stand on apologising in writing, after which a final decision will be taken o...