<p>Stand-up comedian Kunal Kamra on Monday refused to apologise after Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis sought a retraction for his remarks against Deputy Chief Minister <a title="Eknath Shinde" href="https://ift.tt/n1eRNqm" data-type="interlinkingkeywords">Eknath Shinde</a>. Kamra, in a statement, asserted his right to freedom of speech, while questioning the selective enforcement of the law against those who vandalised the venue where his show was filmed.</p> <p>Kamra criticised the attack on the venue, saying, “An entertainment venue is merely a platform. A space for all sorts of shows. Habitat (or any other venue) is not responsible for my comedy, nor does it have any power or control over what I say or do. Neither does any political party.” He likened the attack to “overturning a lorry carrying tomatoes because you didn’t like the butter chicken you were served.”</p> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"> <p dir="ltr" lang="en">My Statement - <a href="https://t.co/QZ6NchIcsM">pic.twitter.com/QZ6NchIcsM</a></p> — Kunal Kamra (@kunalkamra88) <a href="https://twitter.com/kunalkamra88/status/1904222690803876139?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 24, 2025</a></blockquote> <p> <script src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" async="" charset="utf-8"></script> </p> <p>Kamra also addressed political leaders looking to 'teach him a lesson', stating, “Our right to freedom of speech and expression is not only to be used to fawn over the powerful and rich, even though today’s media would have us believe otherwise. Your inability to take a joke at the expense of a powerful public figure does not change the nature of my right.”</p> <p>“However, I am willing to co-operate with the police and courts for any lawful action taken against me. But will the law be fairly and equally deployed against those who have decided that vandalism is the appropriate response to being offended by a joke? And against the unelected members of the BMC, who have arrived today at Habitat, without prior notice, and tore the place down with hammers? Perhaps for my next venue, I will opt for Elphinstone bridge, or any other structure in<br />Mumbai that's in need of speedy demolition,” he added.</p> <p>He also addressed the miscreants leaking his number to make threat calls and remarked, “I am sure you've realised by now that all unknown calls go to my voicemail, where you will be subjected to the very song that you hate. To the media faithfully reporting this circus: Remember that press freedom in India ranks at 159.”</p> <p>“I will not apologise. What I said is exactly what Mr. Ajit Pawar (Ist deputy CM) said about Mr. Eknath Shinde (2nd Deputy CM) I don't fear this mob & I will not be hiding under my bed, waiting for this to die down,” he remarked.</p> <h3><strong>Controversy Over Kunal Kamra’s Standup Video</strong></h3> <p class="p1">The controversy erupted after Kamra, during his performance, allegedly called Shinde a ‘traitor,’ leading to a violent reaction from Shiv Sena workers. On Sunday night, nearly 40 Shiv Sena members gathered outside Hotel Unicontinental in Mumbai’s Khar area, where Habitat Studio—Kamra’s performance venue—is located. They allegedly vandalised the studio and hotel premises, prompting the police to register cases against them.</p> <p class="p1">Following the incident, Mumbai police arrested 12 workers of the Shinde-led Shiv Sena, including functionary Rahul Kanal, for ransacking the venue. A local court later granted them bail, news agency PTI reported. Meanwhile, an FIR was lodged against Kamra for making alleged defamatory remarks against Shinde.</p> <p>Reacting to the vandalism, the Communist Party of India (Marxist) condemned the targeting of Kamra, stating, “This demonstrates that mob violence is the only law for BJP-led alliance regimes. We stand with Kamra and his right to freedom of expression.”</p> <p>State Congress chief Harshvardhan Sapkal accused the ruling government of suppressing dissent, alleging, “The BJP-led Mahayuti government wants to turn Maharashtra into a Taliban-like state. The attackers belong to a ruling party. Do they not trust their own government, the Constitution, the law and the Home Department? Why did they take the law into their own hands?”</p> <p>Shiv Sena legislator Murji Patel warned Kamra, saying the party workers would not allow him to walk freely unless he apologised to Shinde within two days.</p> <p>In contrast, Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Aaditya Thackeray condemned the vandalism, citing Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s recent remarks in a podcast that “criticism is an essential part of democracy.” Thackeray questioned the contradiction between the BJP-led government’s actions and Modi’s statement.</p> <p>The controversy also disrupted proceedings in the Maharashtra legislature, with both Houses witnessing uproar. In the Assembly, Shiv Sena members demanded strict action against Kamra, forcing Speaker Rahul Narwekar to briefly adjourn proceedings. Similar disruptions occurred in the Legislative Council, leading to multiple adjournments, PTI reported.</p> <p>Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray defended Kamra, stating, “Kamra merely expressed his views. He stated the facts and voiced the public opinion.”</p> <p>Meanwhile, Maharashtra Minister of State for Home Yogesh Kadam revealed that Kamra’s location was being traced, promising “strict action as per the law.” However, he also distanced himself from the vandalism, asserting, “Law is equal for all, and I do not support the action of my party workers vandalising the studio.”</p> <p>Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar urged restraint, stating, “No one should violate the law and the Constitution. Statements must be made within the framework of the law.”</p> <p>Adding to the row, Shiv Sena MP Naresh Mhaske alleged that Kamra was being funded by Uddhav Thackeray to target Shinde, while BJP MLA Ram Kadam suggested the comedian was acting under instructions, as per PTI.</p> <h3><strong>Habitat Studio Announces Closure</strong></h3> <p>Habitat Studio, in an Instagram post, announced its closure following the attack. “We are shocked, worried, and extremely broken by the recent acts of vandalism targeting us. Artists are solely responsible for their views and creative choices,” the statement read.</p> <p>The studio further said, “Recent events have made us rethink how we get blamed and targeted every time, almost like we are the 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.”</p>
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