Supporters of the Eknath Shinde-led faction of the Shiv Sena vandalized a venue in Mumbai’s Khar on Sunday, where comedian Kunal Kamra had performed a routine that appeared to reference the deputy chief minister.
In videos uploaded to YouTube the same day, Kamra indirectly referred to Shinde as a “traitor” while singing a modified version of a Hindi film song. His remarks alluded to Shinde’s 2022 rebellion against Uddhav Thackeray and the political turmoil in Maharashtra.
Although Kamra never explicitly named Shinde, the video gained significant traction on social media.
Following a complaint by Shinde Sena MLA Murji Patel, a First Information Report (FIR) was registered against the comedian. Patel stated that he had sought “quick action” against Kamra.
An FIR was also lodged against Shinde Sena’s youth wing general secretary and 19 others for vandalizing the venue.
The Habitat, where the incident took place, expressed deep distress over the attack. “Artists are solely responsible for their views and creative choices,” the venue stated on Monday.
“We have never been involved in the content performed by any artist, but the recent events have made us rethink about how we get blamed and targeted every time almost like we are a proxy for the performer,” The Habitat said in a statement.
The venue also announced its temporary closure, saying, “We will be shutting down till we figure out the best way to provide a platform for free expression without putting ourselves and our property in jeopardy.”
Meanwhile, Shiv Sena leader Naresh Mhaske delivered a threatening speech against Kamra, calling him a “hired comedian” and warning that he would face consequences for his remarks.
“He [Kamra] is making comments on our leader [Shinde] for some money,” Mhaske alleged. “Let alone Maharashtra, Kunal Kamra cannot freely go anywhere in India, Shiv Sainiks will show him his place.”
“We follow the ideology of [Shiv Sena founder] Balasaheb Thackeray, and we will make sure Kunal Kamra is not free to move around – neither in Maharashtra nor in the country,” he added. “Kunal Kamra will get a befitting reply, and he will come and apologise for his mistake.”
In contrast, Shiv Sena (Uddhav Balasaheb Thackeray) leader Aaditya Thackeray condemned the vandalism, calling it an act of cowardice.
“Mindhe’s coward gang breaks the comedy show stage where comedian @kunalkamra88 put out a song on Eknath Mindhe, which was 100% true,” Aaditya Thackeray said on social media. “Only an insecure coward would react to a song by someone.”
He further criticized the state government, questioning the law and order situation: “By the way, law and order in the state? Another attempt to undermine the CM and Home Minister by Eknath Mindhe.”
