Joking on Shinde costs Kunal Kamra! Shiv Sena workers vandalize comedy club

Stand-up comedian Kunal Kamra has sparked controversy with his latest performance, where he took a satirical dig at Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde. In his stand-up act, Kamra referenced the political shifts in Maharashtra, particularly the split within Shiv Sena and NCP, describing the confusion among voters. He performed a parody of a song from the Bollywood film 'Dil To Pagal Hai', implying that Shinde was a "gaddar" (traitor). The video was later uploaded on his YouTube channel, drawing sharp reactions from Shinde's supporters.

Following the video’s circulation, Shiv Sena MLA Murji Patel lodged a complaint against Kamra, leading to an FIR being registered under multiple sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita. Simultaneously, members of the Shinde-led faction of Shiv Sena vandalized The Habitat at Hotel Unicontinental in Mumbai’s Khar West, where Kamra’s show was filmed. The Khar police detained Shiv Sena deputy leader Rahool Kanal, Vibhag Pramukh Shrikant Sarmalkar, and others involved in the vandalism.

In his act, Kamra had remarked on Maharashtra’s political shifts, stating, “Pehle Shiv Sena BJP se bahar aa gayi, fir Shiv Sena Shiv Sena se bahar aa gayi, NCP NCP se bahar aa gayi… ek voter ko 9 button dediye… sab confuse ho gaye…” He also indirectly referred to Shinde’s rebellion in 2022, adding, “Chalu ek jan ne kia tha... wo Mumbai me bohot badhiya ek district hai Thane waha se aate hain.” Kamra’s parody song included lines such as “Meri nazar se tum dekho gaddar nazar wo aaye,” making clear references to Shinde’s political moves.

The controversy escalated as Shiv Sena leaders criticized Kamra, with Thane MP Naresh Mhaske calling him a "contract comedian" allegedly working for Uddhav Thackeray. Shiv Sena spokesperson Krishna Hegde demanded his arrest, terming him a "habitual offender." Meanwhile, Aaditya Thackeray condemned the attack on the comedy venue, stating, “Mindhe’s coward gang breaks the comedy show stage where comedian @kunalkamra88 put out a song on Eknath 'Mindhe,' which was 100 per cent true.” Sanjay Raut also shared Kamra’s video, captioning it “Kunal Ka Kamal.”

Amid the backlash, Kamra responded by posting an image of himself holding a pocket-sized copy of the Indian Constitution, with the caption, “The only way forward…” The incident has intensified the political rift between the two Shiv Sena factions, with leaders from both sides using the controversy to reinforce their position.