NEW DELHI: Mumbai police on Monday arrested Shiv Sena functionary Rahool Kanal and eleven accomplices for vandalising the premises at a Mumbai hotel where stand-up comedian Kunal Kamra delivered the contentious ‘traitor’ remark against Maharashtra Deputy CM Eknath Shinde, an official said.
Kunal Kamra triggered a row on Sunday following his remarks about Maharashtra deputy chief minister Eknath Shinde during his performance at the Habitat Comedy Club at the Unicontinental hotel in Mumbai’s Khar. The situation escalated when Shiv Sena (Shinde faction) supporters retaliated by damaging the premises where the comedy show took place.
In his comedy performance, Kamra delivered a satirical rendition of a well-known song from “Dil To Pagal Hai,” where he labelled Shinde as a “gaddar” (traitor).
Kunal Kamra incorporated humour about the current political scenario in Maharashtra, specifically addressing the divisions within Shiv Sena and NCP. During his performance, he stated, “Meri nazar se tum dekho to gaddar nazar wo aaye. Haaye.”
Police register FIR against Shiv Sena members
Police authorities reported that Shiv Sena members damaged Hotel Unicontinental in Khar, Mumbai, where Kamra recorded his show containing the ‘gaddar’ (traitor) reference towards Eknath Shinde. The group demanded that police file a complaint against him.
Subsequently, authorities filed an FIR against Shiv Sena Yuva Sena general secretary Rahool Kanal and 19 additional individuals under multiple sections of BNS and Maharashtra Police Act for destroying the Habitat standup comedy set.
‘Can’t be justified as freedom of speech’: Maharashtra CM Devendra Fadnavis
The chief minister of Maharashtra, Devendra Fadnavis, criticised comedian Kunal Kamra on Monday for his comments directed at Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde, asserting that such statements cannot be defended under the guise of “freedom of speech”.
During a media interaction, Fadnavis clarified that while stand-up comedy performances are permitted, making unrestrained remarks crosses acceptable boundaries. He additionally called upon Kamra to issue an apology.