In response to increasing political backlash regarding stand-up comedian Kunal Kamra’s recent comments aimed at Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde, workers from the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) showed up at Mumbai’s Habitat Studio on Monday and started demolishing sections of the venue, pointing to rule infractions.
The precise nature of these supposed violations is still unclear, as BMC officials did not provide any official details when this report was filed. Nevertheless, multiple civic body officials were observed arriving at the site, situated in the Unicontinental Hotel in the Khar area, carrying hammers.
The dispute arose when Kamra, recognized for his incisive critique of the ruling government, employed a rendition of a well-known Hindi song to portray Shinde’s 2022 revolt against his previous leader, Uddhav Thackeray.
A segment from his latest program posted by Kamra featured him performing a parody song from the Bollywood movie Dil To Pagal Hai, alluding to “a leader from Thane,” while commenting on Shinde’s looks and his relationship with Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis. Nevertheless, Kamra did not specifically mention Shinde in the video.
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The video ignited a huge dispute and turmoil quickly ensued. The remarks made by Kamra in the video upset leaders from the Shiv Sena (Shinde faction), leading them to vandalize a studio and Hotel Unicontinental in Mumbai’s Khar area on Sunday. They asserted that the video was recorded at this site.
Additionally, 11 workers from the Shiv Sena (Shinde faction), including Rahul Kanal, were detained for vandalism.
Hours later, the comedian replied with a brief four-word message. “The only way forward,” Kamra posted on X alongside a picture of himself grasping a small copy of the Constitution.
