Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis has strongly condemned comedian Kunal Kamra for his remarks against Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde, insisting that the stand-up comic should apologize. His statement comes after Shiv Sena workers vandalized Mumbai’s Habitat Studio, where the controversial comedy act was recorded.
Fadnavis: “Freedom of Speech Has Limits”
While asserting that he is not against comedy, CM Fadnavis maintained that disrespecting political leaders crosses a line. Reacting to Kamra’s parody of the song Bholi Si Surat, which labeled Shinde a “gaddar” (traitor), Fadnavis remarked, “Such low-level comedy and disrespecting the Deputy Chief Minister is not right. Maharashtra’s people have already decided who the real ‘gaddar’ is in the 2024 elections.”
He further stated that freedom of speech is not absolute, arguing that constitutional rights come with responsibilities and limitations.
Shiv Sena’s Violent Protest at Habitat Studio
The controversy took a violent turn when Shiv Sena workers stormed Habitat Studio, damaging chairs, cameras, lights, and speakers in retaliation to Kamra’s joke. Following the attack, the studio announced a temporary shutdown, stating: “We are shocked, worried, and extremely broken by this vandalism. We have always provided a platform for free expression, but these incidents have forced us to reconsider how we operate.”
Ajit Pawar and Opposition’s Response
Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar called for restraint, urging people to speak responsibly to avoid police intervention. Meanwhile, the Shiv Sena (UBT) faction, led by Uddhav Thackeray, slammed the attacks.
MLA Aaditya Thackeray ridiculed the government’s response, saying: “Only an insecure coward would react to a song like this.”
MP Priyanka Chaturvedi also criticized the Sena’s intolerance, stating: “Shinde was not even named in Kamra’s joke. The vandalism shows that the joke struck a nerve.”
Legal Action and Political Fallout
Multiple FIRs have been filed against Kamra, including one by state minister Pratap Sarnaik, who distanced himself from the vandalism but warned that Shiv Sena would not tolerate attacks on its leaders. Meanwhile, Shiv Sena leader Milind Deora called the mocking of Shinde a display of “classist arrogance.”
The incident has reignited the free speech vs. political intolerance debate, raising questions about the limits of satire in India’s political landscape.
