Kunal Kamra’s latest stand-up, in which he has allegedly referred to Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde as a ‘Gaddar’ (traitor), has drawn the ire of Shiv Sena party. Photo: Screengrab via YouTube/Kunal Kamra
The Mumbai police on Monday (March 24, 2025) registered an FIR against stand-up comedian Kunal Kamra, based on a complaint made by Shiv Sena MLA Murji Patel, for allegedly making defamatory remarks against Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde during a show, an official said.
This follows, the incident on Sunday (March 23, 2025) night when Shiv Sena members damaged the Habitat Comedy Club in Khar, where Mr. Kamra’s show had been filmed, as well as a hotel in whose premises the club is located.
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A separate FIR has also been filed against the Shiv Sena workers who took part in the ransacking of the venue.
Mr. Kamra’s latest stand-up, in which he has allegedly referred to Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde as a ‘Gaddar’ (traitor), has drawn the ire of Shiv Sena party.
Based on the complaint, a First Information Report (FIR) was registered in the early hours of Monday against Kamra under various Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) actions, including 353(1)(b) (statements conducing to public mischief) and 356(2) (defamation), an official from MIDC police station said.
The video of Mr. Kamra’s jibe at Shinde was also posted on X by rival Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Sanjay Raut by saying “Kunal Ka Kamal”.
Mr. Kamra taunted Shinde using a modified version of a Hindi song from the film “Dil To Pagal Hai”, eliciting laughter from the audience.
Shiv Sena MP Naresh Mhaske on Sunday warned Mr. Kamra that he would be chased by the party workers throughout the country. “You will be forced to flee India,” he said in a video message.
Calling Mr. Kamra a “contract comedian”, Mr. Mhaske said he should not have stepped on the “tail of a snake [apparently referring to Shinde]”.
“Once the fangs are out, there will be dire consequences,” he warned.
The MP from Thane also alleged that the comedian had accepted money from Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray and was targeting Shinde.
Shiv Sena MLA Murji Patel said he would show “Kamra his level” and asked him to apologise.
(With inputs from PTI)
Published – March 24, 2025 08:45 am IST
