What did Kunal Kamra say?
In his routine, Kamra addressed the political realignments in Maharashtra, referencing Shinde’s departure from Uddhav Thackeray’s leadership. He quipped, “Shiv Sena first came out of the BJP, then Shiv Sena came out of Shiv Sena. NCP came out of NCP, they gave nine buttons to one voter…everyone got confused.” He further performed a parody song set to the tune of ‘Dil To Pagal Hai’, implicitly labelling Shinde a “gaddar” (traitor) without directly naming him. The video of this performance quickly went viral, amassing significant attention on social media platforms.
Reactions from the Shinde-led Shiv Sena
The parody did not sit well with the Shinde faction of the Shiv Sena. Rahool Kanal, General Secretary of the Yuva Sena (Shinde faction), filed a police complaint at Khar Police Station, accusing Kamra of making derogatory remarks against Shinde during his performance. The faction deemed Kamra’s act offensive and disrespectful.
The situation escalated when Shiv Sena workers vandalised ‘The Habitat’ comedy club, where Kamra’s show was recorded. They stormed the venue, disrupted ongoing performances, and caused property damage, demanding action against Kamra. This incident led to an FIR being registered against Rahool Kanal and 19 others for vandalism, obstructing government work, rioting, intimidation, unlawful assembly, and trespassing.
Threats and warnings
Shiv Sena MP Naresh Mhaske issued a stern warning to Kamra, labelling him a “hired comedian” paid by the Uddhav Thackeray-led Shiv Sena (UBT) to defame Eknath Shinde. Mhaske cautioned that Kamra would not be allowed to move freely in Maharashtra or across India, suggesting that if the party pursued him, he might have to leave the country.
Support for Kamra
Amidst the backlash, Kamra received support from various quarters. Sanjay Raut, a Shiv Sena (UBT) leader, shared the comedian’s video on social media with the caption “Kunal Ka Kamal,” indicating approval of Kamra’s satire. Similarly, Shiv Sena (UBT) MLA Aaditya Thackeray condemned the vandalism at ‘The Habitat’, describing the attack as cowardly and questioning the state’s law and order situation under Shinde’s leadership.
Legal actions against Kamra
The controversy further intensified as an FIR was registered against Kamra over his controversial jibe during his stand-up performance. Home Minister Yogesh Kadam confirmed that the police are actively working to trace Kamra in connection with the incident.
