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Kunal Kamra stoked a controversy by dubbing Eknath Shinde a “traitor” during a stand-up show. Shiv Sena workers vandalised the venue where the show was shot.
Mumbai Police take action against comedian Kunal Kamra as well as Sena activists who vandalised Habitat studio. (Source: X)
The Shiv Sena leaders, who were arrested for allegedly vandalising the Mumbai studio where Kunal Kamra mocked Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde in a show, were granted bail on Monday.
This comes after 12 Sena leaders were arrested for their involvement in the vandalism of the studio in Khar. Kamra, during a stand-up show in Mumbai, had sung a modified version of a Hindi song and dubbed Shinde a “traitor”, triggering protests from Shiv Sena.
As the video was released, the clip went viral, prompting Shiv Sena MLA Murji Patel to lodge an FIR against Kamra. He also demanded apology from Kamra and said that if he does not comply, “the Shiv Sainiks will not let him move freely in Mumbai”. “If he is seen anywhere in public, we will paint his face black,” he said.
The Shiv Sena workers were earlier seen vandalising the studio where the show was shot. They smashed chairs, tables and lights, inviting an FIR against them.
According to IANS, Shiv Sena leader Rahul Narain Kanal and more than 20 others were booked by the Khar Police for their action.
The studio announced shutting down after vandalism at the venue.
In a social media post, the studio’s official handle wrote, “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. We have never been involved in the content performed by any Artist, but the recent events have made us rethink about how we get blamed and targeted every time almost like we are a 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. We invite all artists, audience and stakeholders to discuss and share their views freely and request your guidance so that we also respect the performers’ rights,” the studio wrote in the post.