Kunal Kamra controversy highlights: CM Fadnavis demands apology from comedian, opposition asks why

The Opposition on Monday targeted Mahayuti allies, especially Shiv Sena, over the Kunal Kamra issue claiming the intense reaction was missing when derogatory remarks were made against Shivaji Maharaj by a former journalist and an actor, PTI reported.

"Why there was no anger against Prashant Koratkar and Rahul Solapurkar who made derogatory remarks against Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj?" Congress MLA Nana Patole asked in the assembly.

Senior Congress leader Harshvardhan Sapkal on Monday accused the BJP-led Mahayuti government of turning Maharashtra into a 'Taliban-like regime.' READ MORE

Shiv Sena Yuva Sena (Shinde faction) General Secretary Rahool Kanal and others, who were arrested by Mumbai Police in connection with the vandalism at the Habitat studio after Kunal Kamra's controversial gig, were granted bail by the court, his lawyer Advocate Trivankumar Karnani told ANI.

The CPI(M) on Monday condemned the targeting of stand-up comedian Kunal Kamra and the vandalism of a Mumbai studio over his alleged defamatory remarks against Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde, PTI reported.

"We strongly condemn the targeting of stand-up comedian Kunal Kamra and the vandalisation of the studio in which he performed by the ruling alliance goons in Maharashtra," the Left party said.

The studio in Khar in which stand-up comedian Kunal Kamra filmed his show containing the controversial "traitor" jibe at Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde was on Monday demolished by Mumbai's civic body for alleged building violations, reported PTI.

The Mumbai Police on Monday arrested 12 people for vandalising the Habitat Comedy Club in Khar, where standup artiste Kunal Kamra performed his recent show for YouTube 'Naya Bharat'.

Police earlier arrested 11 members of the Yuva Sena, the youth faction of the Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena and presented them in the Bandra Magistrate Court.

Comedian Kunal Karma on Monday told the Mumbai police that he would not apologise for his 'traitor' jibe at Maharashtra deputy chief minister and Shiv Sena chief Eknath Shinde unless the courts instruct him to do so. READ MORE

Shiv Sena (UBT) MLA Aditya Thackeray defended stand-up comedian Kunal Kamra amid the massive row in Maharashtra over his remarks, stating that Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde should first clarify whether he is a "traitor" or the "thief" before demanding an apology.

"Why should Kunal Kamra apologise? If this traitor and thief is Eknath Shinde, then Kunal Kamra must apologize. But Eknath Shinde should first answer whether he is a traitor or a thief," Thackeray said.

Comedian Kunal Kamra, who often gets embroiled in controversies due to the political nature of his stand-up gigs, has once again landed in trouble. This time, it's because of his ‘traitor’ remark on Maharashtra deputy chief minister and Shiv Sena supremo Eknath Shinde. READ FULL STORY

Maharashtra Police on Monday arrested Shiv Sena functionary Rahul Kanal and 11 others for ransacking the venue at a Mumbai hotel where stand-up comedian Kunal Kamra made the controversial ‘traitor’ jibe against Maharashtra Deputy CM Eknath Shinde, an official said.

The minister of state for home Yogesh Kadam on Monday said the government will investigate the call records of controversial comedian Kunal Kamara, transactions in the account and prove if someone is the mastermind behind it.

Maharashtra chief minister Devendra Fadnavis on Monday opened up on the recent Kunal Kamra controversy and clarified that freedom of expression comes with certain limituation and those breaching it will not be spared.

“Freedom of expression has its own limitations. You cannot insult anyone. You can do comedy and satire against all of us, we will appreciate but the one who is insulting people by taking “supari” will have to face action. There is no need to spare them. We will not tolerate this and we will teach them a lesson,” Fadnavis said.

"The left liberal and urban naxal like Kunal Kamra share the same objective of defaming respected personalities, esteemed institutions and make people lose their faith in them. I assures the state assembly that strictest action will be taken against him,” CM Fadnavis said the state assembly

Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation's (BMC) demolition squad arrived at The Habitat studio at Unicontinental hotel in Mumbai's Khar area, where comedian Kunal Kamra had shot a video mocking Maharashtra deputy Eknath Shinde, which has triggered a massive controversy. READ FULL STORY

Kunal Kamra controversy LIVE: Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray commented on the Kunal Kamra row and told ANI, "I don't think Kunal Kamra said anything wrong. Calling 'gaddar', a 'gaddar' is not an attack on anyone.
He doubled down and said, "Shiv Sena has nothing to do with this attack, this has been done by 'gaddar sena'...Those who have 'gaddari' in their blood can never be a Shiv Sainik."

Kunal Kamra controversy LIVE: State transport minister Pratap Sarnaik told ANI in response to the Kunal Kamra row and vandalism at a comedy club in Kha, “As a minister, I dont support the incident that took place yesterday. But I am a Shiv Sainik before I am a minister.”

He added," The said studio is illegal... False remarks are made against PM Modi and several others over there. It should be investigated why someone would support an illegal studio like that."

Kunal Kamra controversy LIVE: BMC workers have arrived at the Habitat club to demolish the Khar space which was deemed to be illegally built.

Transport minister Pratap Sarnaik has said earlier today that he had asked Mumbai police commissioner to take action against the Khar studio which he claims is illegal.

Kunal Kamra controversy LIVE: Speaking about the Kunal Kamra row, SP MP Jaya Bachchan said to ANI, “If there is restriction on speaking, what will become if you? You are anyway in a bad situation. There are restrictions on you.”

"Where is freedom of speech? There is freedom of action only when there is a ruckus - beat up opposition, rape women, murder them. What else?...You (Eknath Shinde) left your real party and formed another party for power. Isn't that an insult of Balasaheb?" she added.

Kunal Kamra controversy LIVE: Shiv Sena leader Rahul Kanal, was among 18 others detained for vandalising a comedy club after comedian Kunal Kamra allegedly made insulting remarks towards deputy CM Eknath Shinde.

He is seen in the video, praising Eknath Shinde, as he leaves Khar police station.

Kunal Kamra controversy LIVE: Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Aaditya Thackeray slammed the “cowardly gang” of attackers who vandalised a comedy venue after taking offence to comments made by comedian Kunal Kamra which are allegedly aimed at deputy chief minister Eknath Shinde.

In a post on X, where he refers to Shinde, with the term ‘Mindhe’, he says, “Mindhe’s coward gang breaks the comedy show stage where comedian @kunalkamra88 put out a song on eknath mindhe which was 100% true. Only an insecure coward would react to a song by someone.Btw law and order in the state? Another attempt to undermine the CM and Home Minister by eknath mindhe.”

Kunal Kamra controversy LIVE: The Habitat, where Kunal Kamra performed his controversial stand-up act, has decided to shut down temporarily, after it was vandalised by Shiv Sena chief Eknath Shinde's supporters.

In a statement issued on Monday they said, “We are shocked, worried and extremely broken by the recent acts of vandalism targeting us. 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,”

"We are shutting down till we figure out the best way to provide a platform for free expression without putting ourselves and our property in jeopardy," it added.

Kunal Kamra Controversy News Live: Addressing the Kunal Kamra row surrounding comments made allegedly towards deputy chief minister of Maharashtra, Eknath Shinde, Shiv Sena (UBT ) MP Arvind Sawant questioned why the Shinde faction could not accept criticism.

He told ANI, “As far as what Kunal Kamra did, I think every word, every sentence said by him is correct. That is what everyone in opposition is alleging against him. He said that in the form of a poem. If we say there is democracy in this country and we believe in that, then we must accept all of this. Criticism is criticism.”

He added, "FIR should be registered against those who vandalised...Can't they accept criticism?"

Kunal Kamra Controversy News Live: Maharashtra home minister Yogesh Kadam stated that police were working to trace comedian Kunal Kamra after he made comments that were allegedly insulting to deputy chief minister Eknath Shinde.

Kunal Kamra Controversy News Live: On comedian Kunal Kamra's remarks on Eknath Shinde, Congress leader Atul Londhe told news agency ANI, “I do not support the vandalism. You are holding a Constitutional post...Your sentiments get easily hurt, you should have approached the Police and got a complaint registered.”

“Nobody can be given the right to vandalise in a legal system. There is a rule of law...As far as what Kunal Kamra said, he is a comedian and writer - he comments on what happens in society. If you are so bothered by stand-up comedy, by the language used there, then shut it down completely...Why are you so scared of remarks?” he added.

Kunal Kamra Controversy News Live: The Habitat Comedy Club, which was vandalised after comedian Kunal Kamra's stand-up act offended supporters of Shiv Sena chief Eknath Shinde, have issued a statement claiming they are a neutral platform and don't support hate of any kind.

“The Habitat has always been a neutral platform for all kinds of artists to share their work in any language – for anything that requires a stage our doors remain open. Just providing a stage helps to encourage people in discovering their creativity, build their talent, and sometimes find a new career,” they said.

Kunal Kamra Controversy News Live: Shiv Sena leader Shaina NC responded to Kunal Kamra's comments during a comedy performance, allegedly insulting Eknath Shinde and said “Did not know that you can RENT a comedian and use him as your PUPPET ?!?! Or as a mere diversionary tactic ".

She added, “Meri nazar se tum dekho to gaddar nazar wo aaye,” is not comedy but its vulgarity. Obviously he does not know what it takes for an auto rickshaw driver to work his way with public support to emerge as a CM and DYCm of Maharashtra, with the popularity of Eknath Shinde. The cadre of Shivsena demands legal action against Kunal Kamra.”