Kunal Kamra Controversy Live Updates: CM Fadnavis Demands Apology, BMC Reaches Habitat Studio To Inspect Structure

Stand-up comedian Kunal Kamra, who is at the centre of a controversy over comments made against Maharashtra deputy chief minister Eknath Shinde at a recent performance, has told police that he does not regret his actions and would not issue an apology despite facing massive backlash, according to at least two media reports.

Amid a massive uproar over comedian Kunal Kamra’s remarks on Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde and the vandalism of a Mumbai hotel and studio, the city’s municipal commission on Monday arrived at Habitat studio in Khar, the venue where the show was recorded, and inspected the structure, sources said.

No demolition drive of the “illegal” parts of the studio was conducted, they added.

Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Aaditya Thackeray defended Kunal Kamra amid a massive row over his remarks against Maharashtra Deputy CM Eknath Shinde. “Why should he apologise?” he said. “Eknath Shinde should first answer that he is a traitor and a thief.”

Union Minister of State Raksha Khadse has condemned comedian Kunal Kamra’s remarks against Deputy CM Eknath Shinde. “Whatever he said is extremely wrong. He has received a platform to make people laugh, and not to make a statement on government or any other political party,” she told PTI.

Maharashtra Minister Pratap Sarnaik said he met senior police officials and inquired about the probe against comedian Kunal Kamra for his remarks against Eknath Shinde. “Kamra is not in Maharashtra. He has fled to Pondicherry. The police teams are coordinating with their counterparts in Pondicherry to trace and detain Kamra,” he said, demanding that Kamra be arrested and brought back to Mumbai.

BJP leader Ram Kadam accused Kunal Kamra of using “unconstitutional language” in the garb of freedom of expression and hurt the sentiments of people. “Comedy is an art form and it should be encouraged,” he said. “If you see, Kunal Kamra has said all this at a time when the Thackeray family’s name was coming out in the Disha Salian murder case.”

He also slammed the rival Shiv Sena faction, particularly after Uddhav Thackeray’s reaction to Kamra’s remarks, highlighting how the party had kept a journalist in jail for nine days.

Amid a massive uproar over comedian Kunal Kamra’s remarks on Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde, the comedian – now in Tamil Nadu – said he does not regret his remarks, sources told NDTV. Kamra also denied rumours that he was paid by the opposition to insult Eknath Shinde and said he would only apologise if the court told him to do so.

Amid a massive uproar over comedian Kunal Kamra’s remarks on Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde and the vandalism of a Mumbai hotel and studio, the city’s municipal commission arrived at the venue with hammers to reportedly carry out the demolition of “illegal” parts of the Habitat studio in Khar, citing an alleged violation of rules.

Reacting to Kunal Kamra’s remarks for the first time, Uddhav Thackeray said he did not find anything wrong with the comedian’s song. “I don’t think Kunal Kamra said anything wrong. Calling ‘gaddar’, a ‘gaddar’ is not an attack on anyone.”

He further said that those who have “gaddari” in their blood can never be a Shiv Sainik.

BJP leader Amit Malviya slammed Shiv Sena (UBT) faction for their “hypocrisy” by lamenting about democracy and freedom of expression in the wake of Kunal Kamra’s remarks on Eknath Shinde. Sharing a video of Kamra and Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Sanjay Raut, Malviya highlighted several instances where people were punished by the MVA government for objectionable content.

“During the MVA rule, individuals like Sameet Thakkar, Nikhil Bhame, Ketaki Chitale, and Paresh Borse were jailed for their tweets. A retired Navy officer, Madan Sharma, was assaulted for sharing a cartoon. Uddhav Thackeray’s supporters even went as far as forcibly shaving a man’s head over a social media post. Meanwhile, Sanjay Raut and Kunal Kamra openly cheered the demolition of Kangana Ranaut’s home,” he said on X. “The hypocrisy is clear—free speech isn’t their principle; it’s merely a tool of convenience.”

Reacting to the Kunal Kamra controversy, Congress MP Manickam Tagore said, “This is the new India under the rule of PM Modi where even if a comedy show is held then the venue will be vandalised with the support of the local police…”

The Habitat, where Kunal Kamra’s show was held where he was seen making disparaging remarks against Maharashtra Deputy CM Eknath Shinde, is the same venue where the controversial ‘India’s Got Latent’ show had been filmed. The show came under fire after podcaster Ranveer Allahbadia’s remarks on “parental sex”.

The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) has tightened its grip on the Habitat Studio in Mumbai’s Khar, where Kunal Kamra made the remarks against Eknath Shinde that sparked a massive row.

Municipal officials, including Commissioner Vinayak Vispute, have entered the UniContinental Studio and action may be taken on the illegal part of the studio, as per reports. The studio’s power supply may be disconnected soon.

Shiv Sena spokesperson Krishna Hegde called comedian Kunal Kamra “anti-national, unpatriotic and mentally unstable” for his controversial remarks on Eknath Shinde. Hegde said the law should take its course regarding his punishment.

First visuals of Mumbai Police bringing out Shiv Sena Yuva Sena (Shinde faction) General Secretary Rahool Kanal at Khar Police Station, amid slogans of “Humara neta kaisa ho? Eknath Shinde jaisa ho!”

Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis addressed Kunal Kamra’s controversial remarks on Eknath Shinde in the state Assembly, saying freedom of speech leading to tyranny is unacceptable. “If we look at Kunal Kamra’s history, talking about the judiciary is what Kunal Kamra does. He always stays in the news,” he added.

“The ideological legacy of Balasaheb Thackeray is with Eknath Shinde and it was given by the people. Kunal Kamra is not big in front of the people of the state,” he added.

The issue of comedian Kunal Kamra’s controversial remarks on Maharashtra Deputy CM Eknath Shinde was raised in the Maharashtra Legislative Assembly. Shiv Sena (Shinde faction) created a ruckus in the Assembly and entered the well of the Vidhan Bhavan, prompting the session to be adjourned for five minutes.

Comedian Kunal Kamra’s location is being traced outside Mumbai, according to police sources, after he sparked a massive furore with his controversial remarks on Maharashtra Deputy CM Eknath Shinde. The Shiv Sena (Shinde faction) has threatened him with “dire consequences” and demanded a public apology.

Shiv Sena (Shinde faction) leader Rahul Kanal has been arrested after he surrendered himself, according to police sources. Rahul Kanal was booked in connection with the vandalism of the hotel and studio after comedian Kunal Kamra’s remarks on Deputy CM Eknath Shinde sparked a massive uproar.

Shiv Sena (Shinde faction) MLA Murji Patel said Kunal Kamra’s remarks on Eknath Shinde “crossed all limits of decency” and are unacceptable. “We strongly condemn and oppose the derogatory remarks made by Kunal Kamra against our leader, the Deputy Chief Minister of Maharashtra, Eknath Shinde,” he told IANS.

More than 40 workers of Shiv Sena (Shinde faction) have been booked for allegedly ransacking the Habitat Studio in Mumbai’s Khar, where Kunal Kamra made controversial remarks on Maharashtra deputy CM Eknath Shinde. Viral videos showed workers vandalising the hotel and studio.

Samajwadi Party MP Jaya Bachchan weighed in on the Kunal Kamra controversy by asserting freedom of speech. “Where is freedom of speech? There is freedom of action only when there is a ruckus – beat up the opposition, rape women, murder them,” she said.

“You (Eknath Shinde) left your real party and formed another party for power. Isn’t that an insult of Balasaheb?” Bachchan added.

During his response to the controversy created by Kunal Kamra, Maharashtra CM Devendra Fadnavis drew similarities between Kunal Kamra’s X post, wherein he held a red-coloured Constitution book, and Rahul Gandhi’s 2024 controversy when he displayed a red-covered copy of the Constitution during an event.

“Kunal Kamra has posted the same red Constitution book shown by Rahul Gandhi. Both of them have not read the Constitution. The Constitution allows us freedom of speech, but it has limitations,” he said. “This (Kamra’s remarks on Shinde) cannot be justified as freedom of speech.”

Two offences have been registered in the Khar police station following an outrage caused by Kunal Kamra’s remarks on Maharashtra Deputy CM Eknath Shinde. One offence was registered against the stand-up comedian while the second was against Shiv Sena workers who ransacked and vandalised the UniContinental Hotel.

AAP leader Sanjay Singh condemned the vandalism that followed Kunal Kamra’s remarks on Eknath Shinde and said the “government goons’ should be strictly punished. “It is the government’s weakness to be so scared of a few lines of a comedian in the country. It is the murder of constitutional values,” he said on X.

“There should be humour in democracy, not hatred and riot. The people who broke Kunal Kamra’s studio are government goons,” he added.

Reacting to Kunal Kamra’s “gaddar” (traitor) jibe at Eknath Shinde, Maharashtra CM Devendra Fadnavis said all traitors were sent home by the people during last year’s election. “Those who insulted the mandate and ideology of Balasaheb Thackeray were shown their place by the people,” he said.

“There is no issue with humour but the way of defaming and insulting big leaders cannot be tolerated at all. One can make humour on us but making derogatory statements cannot be accepted. Kamra should apologise,” he added.

At least 11 workers from the Shiv Sena (Shinde faction) have been arrested for vandalising a studio in Mumbai’s Khar after comedian Kunal Kamra’s controversial statement on Maharashtra deputy CM Eknath Shinde. The accused will be taken to court shortly.

Shiv Sena (Shinde faction) leader Rahul Kanal, one of the people allegedly involved in the vandalism of a studio after comedian Kunal Kamra’s jibe at Eknath Shinde, said it was just the trailer and that Kamra’s act was a paid conspiracy.

“Abhi tak toh ye trailer hai, picture abhi baki hai (This is just the trailer, the film is not over yet). If anybody says anything derogatory about our senior leader, our elders then we will not spare them,” he told reporters.

As the Mahayuti government promised strict action over Kunal Kamra’s remarks on Eknath Shinde, the controversy saw a “Shiv Sena vs Shiv Sena” standoff. The Shinde faction threatened the comedian with “dire consequences” and accused him of taking money from the Thackeray family.

On the other hand, the UBT backed Kamra in the controversy and criticised the government for the law and order situation in the state. BJP and Congress also engaged in political squabbling and debated over the freedom of speech over Kamra’s dig at Shinde.

Amid outrage over Kunal Kamra’s remarks on Eknath Shinde, Maharashtra Minister Pratap Sarnaik backed the Shiv Sena party for vandalising a studio and called the venue “illegal”.

“I came to the police station as an FIR was registered against our Shiv Sainiks. The said studio is illegal… False remarks are made against PM Modi and several others over there. It should be investigated why someone would support an illegal studio like that,” he told ANI.

Shiv Sena (Uddhav Thackeray faction) leader Aaditya Thackeray backed Kunal Kamra amid a furore over his remarks on Eknath Shinde. “Mindhe’s (a term used by the opposition for Mr Shinde – a Marathi word meaning subservient, as a taunt) coward gang breaks the comedy show stage where comedian Kunal Kamra put out a song on Eknath Mindhe which was 100% true. Only an insecure coward would react to a song by someone. Btw law and order in the state? Another attempt to undermine the CM and Home Minister by eknath mindhe.”

Shiv Sena (Eknath Shinde faction) leader Sanjay Nirupam also threatened the comedian on social media platform X and said that he would be “thrashed” at 11 am today, following the latter’s controversial remarks on Deputy CM Eknath Shinde.

Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis condemned Kunal Kamra’s remarks on Deputy CM Eknath Shinde, saying he should apologise for his “unacceptable” statement. He said strict action will be taken against the comedian.

“Such statements are not acceptable, and they will not be tolerated in the name of freedom of expression,” he said.

Several Shiv Sena (Eknath Shinde faction) leaders also threatened Kamra with dire consequences over his remarks. Shiv Sena spokesperson Krishna Hegde said that the party workers are angry with his comments. “The comedian will receive ‘Shiv Sena treatment,’ as none of the Shiv Sainiks have liked his statements,” Hegde warned.

Amid a massive row over stand-up comedian Kunal Kamra’s alleged defamatory remarks against Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde, the Mumbai studio, where the comedian’s show was shot, has announced shutting down.

This comes after workers of the Shiv Sena (Eknath Shinde faction) vandalised Mumbai’s Habitat studio in an uproar over the comedian’s remark, and also got a First Information Report (FIR) registered against him.

Shiv Sena (Shinde faction) workers are planning to protest outside the Maharashtra Assembly against comedian Kunal Kamra following the latter’s remarks against Deputy CM Eknath Shinde that triggered a massive row in the state.

Amid outrage over Kunal Kamra’s “gaddar” jibe at Eknath Shinde, Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Arvind Sawant said every word said by the comedian was correct. “That is what everyone in opposition is alleging against him. He said that in the form of a poem. If we say there is democracy in this country and we believe in that, then we must accept all of this. Criticism is criticism,” he said.

Congress leader Nana Patole criticised the vandalism that followed Kunal Kamra’s remarks on Eknath Shinde. “There is no law and order in Maharashtra. People are leaving Maharashtra out of fear. The industries are leaving from here. The government urges that there should be peace in the state, but they are engaging in vandalism like this,” he said.

Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Priyanka Chaturvedi slammed the outrage and vandalism following Kunal Kamra’s “gaddar” joke on Eknath Shinde, saying, “They are threatening over a joke where Eknath Shinde’s name was not even mentioned, only the intelligent would have got the hint. If you have an objection, lodge an FIR and make us of the legal procedure.”

“Their vandalism shows that it has hurt them and what he is saying through a joke has truth in it,” she told ANI.

Maharashtra Government’s Home (Urban) Minister Yogesh Ramdas Kadam responded to the controversy surrounding Kunal Kamra’s remarks on Eknath Shinde, saying, “The Constitution has provided freedom of expression. It does not give the right to insult people holding constitutional posts.” He said necessary action will be taken on Shiv Sena workers vandalising the studio.