Shiv Sena workers on Sunday vandalized the Habitat Comedy Club in Mumbai’s Khar following stand-up comedian Kunal Kamra’s remarks on Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde in a recent YouTube video.
Reacting to the controversy, Shiv Sena MP Naresh Mhaske called Kamra a “hired comedian” who was making statements against their leader for money. He also took a swipe at Sanjay Raut and the Shiv Sena (UBT) faction, claiming they had no party workers left to criticize Shinde.
“Kunal Kamra is a hired comedian, making comments on our leader for some money. Let alone Maharashtra, he cannot freely go anywhere in India—Shiv Sainiks will show him his place. We feel sorry for Sanjay Raut and Shiv Sena (UBT) that they now have to rely on people like him,” Mhaske told ANI.
He further asserted that his party follows Balasaheb Thackeray’s ideology and warned that Kamra would face consequences. “We will ensure Kamra is not free to move around—neither in Maharashtra nor in the country. He will get a befitting reply and will have to apologize for his mistake,” he added.
Meanwhile, Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Priyanka Chaturvedi came out in support of Kamra, condemning the attack. In a post on X, she urged Kamra to “stand strong” despite the backlash. “The man and the gang you exposed will go after you, but the residents of the state share your sentiment! And like Voltaire said—I will defend to death your right to speak your mind,” she wrote.
The incident has sparked a debate on freedom of expression and political intolerance, with reactions pouring in from various quarters.
