WillNo

Kunal Kamra stands firm amid Shiv Sena fury, Habitat studio vandalism & BMC crackdown

 

Famous and controversy-prone stand-up comedian Kunal Kamra is again in the headlines for calling Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde a ‘traitor’. Taking to his social media account, he reacted to the furore over his comment, arguing that expression should not be limited to complimenting the powerful. He insisted he would not apologise for his comments and claimed his right to make jokes about public figures. Kamra also volunteered to assist legal authorities with any legal proceedings against him.

 

Shiv Sena Workers Vandalise Mumbai Studio

 

In his statement, Shiv Sena workers vandalised the Mumbai studio where Kamra had taped his show. The assault was indirectly at the Habitat comedy club, causing it to close temporarily. In response to the incident, Kamra explained that venues cannot be blamed for what a comedian says. 

Drawing a parallel with an irrational action, he described, “Attacking a place for a comedian’s words is as pointless as turning over a lorry filled with tomatoes because you did not like the butter chicken you were served.”

 

Kamra Condemns Political Threats

 

Kamra also criticised political leaders for issuing threats over his remarks, emphasising that freedom of speech should not be limited to flattering those in power. “Our right to freedom of speech and expression is not just for praising rich and powerful, even though today’s media would have us believe otherwise. It is not against the law to joke about leaders and the political system,” he asserted.

 

Questioning Equality of Application of Law

 

He also questioned whether the law would be equally applied to those who had turned to vandalism as a reaction to his joke. Kamra had mentioned that unelected officials of Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) had destroyed sections of Habitat without warning. 

“Will the law be equally enforced on those who believe that vandalism is a right reaction to a joke? And on unelected BMC members who came to Habitat and demolished it with hammers? Maybe for my next location, I should consider Elphinstone Bridge or any other building in Mumbai which is in immediate need of demolition,” he said sarcastically.

 

Harassment and Media Criticism

 

Responding to the harassment he endured, Kamra called out the people who leaked his number and kept calling him. “To those who are busy leaking my number or calling me continuously: all unknown calls go to my voicemail, where you will be treated to the very song that you hate,” he sarcastically wrote.

He also attacked the media for their reportage of the scandal, pointing out India’s low ranking on press freedom. “To the media diligently reporting this circus: remember that press freedom in India is ranked 159. I will not apologise. What I said is what Ajit Pawar (1st Deputy CM) said regarding Eknath Shinde (2nd Deputy CM). I do not fear this mob, nor will I hide under my bed waiting for this to die down,” he asserted. 

 

BMC Demolishes Habitat Studio

 

At the same time, Kamra’s Khar studio, where he taped his show, was inspected by BMC officials after the attack. The civic agency asserted that the Habitat studio in the Unicontinental Hotel basement was razed since it did not have the civic permissions that it needed. A summons has been issued to Kamra by Khar Police, which summons him to be present before investigating officer. An FIR against the comedian was first lodged by the MIDC police and handed over to the Khar police for investigation.

 

Kamra’s Sardonic Analysis of Maharashtra Politics

 

Kamra’s satirical commentary on Maharashtra politics, especially the realignments in the Shiv Sena and NCP, incensed Eknath Shinde’s followers. The comedian made light of the political maze, quipping, “First, Shiv Sena broke away from BJP, then Shiv Sena broke away from Shiv Sena itself. NCP broke away from NCP. They gave voters nine buttons, and everyone got confused.”

 

Legal Proceedings and Political Fallout

 

With Kamra under legal proceedings and political pressure, the incident has rekindled issues surrounding freedom of speech and artistic freedom in India. As the comedian refuses to apologise, the wider consequences of the controversy on media freedom and political satire continue to be debated.