The Mumbai Police on Monday arrested 11 members of the Yuva Sena, the youth wing of Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena, for vandalizing Habitat, a popular comedy venue in the city.
The group stormed the venue during a live performance by comedian Rajat Sood, forcing the show to stop before damaging property in protest against stand-up comedian Kunal Kamra’s latest comedy special, ‘Naya Bharat’ on YouTube. The protesters accused Kamra of making derogatory remarks in his show.
The Shiv Sena (Shinde faction) strongly condemned Kamra’s comments, while the Maharashtra Opposition alliance criticized the Mahayuti government, alleging a breakdown of law and order. Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Arvind Sawant backed Kamra, asserting that “every word spoken by him is correct.”
“Kunal Kamra presented his views in the form of a poem. If we truly believe in democracy, we must accept criticism. Even Balasaheb Thackeray, a renowned cartoonist, used to criticize politicians through caricatures. If he were alive today, they would have filed cases against him every day,” Sawant said.
The Mumbai Police registered an FIR against the 11 arrested protesters under multiple sections of the Bharatiya Nyay Sanhita (BNS), 2023, including Sections 132, 189(2), 189(3), 190, 191(2), 324(5), 324(6), 223, 351(2), 352, 333, as well as Sections 37(1) and 135 of the Maharashtra Police Act.
An FIR has also been filed against Kunal Kamra for his alleged derogatory remarks.
Meanwhile, Shinde Sena leader Sanjay Nirupam alleged that the funding for Kamra’s show came from Matoshree, the residence of former Maharashtra CM Uddhav Thackeray.
“The venue booking money came from Matoshree, which is why Eknath Shinde is being targeted,” Nirupam claimed at a press conference in Mumbai.
He further alleged that Kamra is part of the “Rahul Gandhi and Congress ecosystem.”
The controversy has escalated into a political standoff between the ruling Mahayuti government and the Opposition alliance, sparking debates over freedom of expression, criticism in democracy, and political influence in the entertainment industry.
