Amid ‘traitor’ jibe row against Shinde, BMC begins demolition at Mumbai studio where Kamra shot show

Mumbai: In the latest development in the Kunal Kamra controversy, the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) on Monday began demolishing unauthorised structures at Habitat Comedy Club, where the comedian performed his show mocking Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde. Meanwhile, Minister Pratap Sarnaik confirmed that Kamra, who faces an FIR at Khar police station, is currently in Pondicherry. The police have also arrested Shiv Sena functionary Rahul Kanal along with 11 others for vandalizing the venue at a Mumbai hotel.

The controversy erupted after Kamra’s satirical act featured a modified Bollywood song mocking Shinde’s 2022 rebellion against Uddhav Thackeray, triggering sharp criticism from ruling Mahayuti leaders. Shiv Sena MLA Murji Patel demanded an apology, warning of repercussions, while Sena MP Naresh Mhaske escalated the threats, stating Kamra would be chased across the country and forced to leave India. Kanal, who led the vandalism, defended the attack as an act of "self-respect" and warned Kamra of further consequences if he returned to Mumbai.

On Sunday night, Shiv Sena workers stormed Hotel Unicontinental, ransacked the Habitat Studio, and vandalized property. Protesters clashed with police, raised slogans like "Shiv Sena Zindabad," and allegedly manhandled hotel staff. FIRs were lodged against multiple Sena workers, including Kanal and leaders Kunal Sarmalkar and Akshay Panvelkar, with several arrests following.

Following the incident, Habitat Studio announced its indefinite closure, citing repeated targeting. In an Instagram post, the venue expressed being "shocked, worried, and extremely broken," clarifying that it neither produces nor endorses artists’ content. The studio, previously embroiled in controversy over its ‘India’s Got Latent’ show, had faced backlash last month as well.

Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis weighed in on the controversy, asserting that while satire is acceptable, it should not cross into insult. He urged Kamra to apologise for his "low-level comedy" and emphasized that freedom of speech should not be misused. Deputy CM Ajit Pawar also called for respecting legal boundaries, stating that while differences of opinion exist, they should not escalate to police involvement.

State Transport Minister Pratap Sarnaik, visiting the Khar police station, claimed the venue was "illegal" and demanded action against it. Meanwhile, opposition leaders condemned the police action against Kamra, accusing the government of stifling dissent while downplaying Sena's vandalism. AAP Mumbai president Preeti Sharma Menon criticized the FIR, calling it proof of the ruling coalition’s intolerance. Congress leaders called the case a "mockery of law," demanding clarity on permissible speech limits. Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Sanjay Raut backed Kamra, calling his act "Kunal Ka Kamal."

The controversy has reignited debates on political satire, freedom of expression, and growing intolerance toward dissent in Maharashtra.