Kunal Kamra’s jibe at Eknath Shinde sparks row, Shiv Sena vandalises auditorium

Comedian Kunal Kamra has stirred controversy after calling Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde a traitor, while criticising Shiv Sena’s political stance, during a recent stand-up comedy performance. As the uproar intensified following the viral video, Shiv Sena workers vandalised a hotel in Mumbai where the show was recorded and demanded that an FIR be lodged against Kamra.

Calling it a “conspiracy to malign Shinde”, the Shiv Sena has lodged a police complaint naming comedian Kunal Kamra, Shiv Sena (UBT) leaders Sanjay Raut and Aditya Thackeray, and Congress leader Rahul Gandhi.

During a recent show, Kunal Kamra took a swipe at Eknath Shinde for switching sides and aligning with the BJP. In a video shared by Kamra himself, he is heard singing a song referring to “the leader from Thane,” making remarks about Shinde’s physical appearance and his equation with Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis. However, Kamra did not explicitly name Shinde in the clip.

The complaint filed by Shiv Sena leader Rahul Kanal called it a “pre-planned criminal conspiracy and a systematic paid campaign to malign the reputation, image, and goodwill of the Hon’ble Deputy Chief Minister of Maharashtra, Shri Eknath Shinde”.

“The acts committed by Mr. Kunal Kamra, including making statements that hurt public sentiments, utter obscene words, and make defamatory insinuations and innuendos targeting Shri Eknath Shinde, are not only offensive but also unlawful,” the complaint said, seeking legal action.

Following the row, Shiv Sena workers reached the studio and hotel in Mumbai’s Khar, where Kunal Kamra’s stand-up video was recorded, vandalised the property, and ransacked the premises. This was the same location where the controversial India’s Got Latent was also shot.