Kunal Kamra booked, BMC team lands at hotel where Shinde video was shot

Meanwhile, police also registered an FIR against some members of Shinde’s Yuva Sena for vandalising the studio on Sunday. While 12 Shinde Sena workers were arrested, they were later released on bail.

Speaking to BBC News Marathi, Shinde said freedom of expression should not be “misused” and accused Kamra of “speaking on behalf of someone with an agenda”. While he distanced himself from the vandalism carried out by his party workers, he said “every action has a reaction”.

Weighing in, Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis condemned Kamra’s remarks and warned that those who defame others for “personal gains” would face action.

A view of The Unicontinental Hotel, which was vandalised by Shiv Sena workers. (Express photo/ Sankhadeep Banerjee)

“Two offences have been registered at Khar police station. One offence is against the stand-up comedian over derogatory comments. The second offence is against people who ransacked the UniContinental Hotel. Further investigation is going on,” Dixit Gedam, Deputy Commissioner of Police, Zone 9, said.

Kamra has been booked under various sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), including 353(1)(b), 353(2) (statements conducing to public mischief) and 356(2) (defamation). On Monday, he posted a picture of himself holding the Constitution, with the remark: “The only way forward…”

In a post on X late on Monday night, Kamra said: “I will not apologise. What I said is exactly what Mr Ajit Pawar (1st deputy CM) said about Mr Eknath Shinde (2nd Deputy CM). I don’t fear this mob & I will not be hiding under my bed, waiting for this to die down.”

Underlining the “right to freedom of speech and expression”, Kamra said he was “willing to cooperate with the police and courts for any lawful action” against him. He also criticised the “senseless” attack on the venue, saying it “is not responsible for my comedy, nor does it have any power or control over what I say or do”.

Meanwhile, Habitat Studio, the event venue, announced that it was shutting down. “We are shocked, worried and extremely broken by the recent acts of vandalism targeting us. Artists are solely responsible for their views and creative choices. We have never been involved in the content performed by any artist, but the recent events have made us rethink about how we get blamed and targeted every time almost like we are a proxy for the performer,” it said in an Instagram post on Monday.

“We are shutting down till we figure out the best way to provide a platform for free expression without putting ourselves and our property in jeopardy. We invite all artists, audience and stakeholders to discuss and share their views freely and request your guidance so that we also respect the performers’ rights,” said the studio, which was also the venue of the ‘India’s Got Latent’ show at the centre of a controversy last month.

In the video clip, Kamra refers to Shinde as a “gaddar” (traitor). The FIR against him was filed on the basis of a complaint by Shinde Sena MLA Murji Patel, who accused him of defaming and making derogatory statements against Shinde.

The clip is part of a 45-minute video titled ‘Naya Bharat’ that Kamra uploaded on his YouTube channel on Sunday.

After the video clip went viral, nearly three dozen workers of the Shinde Sena vandalised the studio on Sunday night. “In the studio, the activists were shouting slogans like ‘Shiv Sena zindabad’… They pushed and abused the employees working there… A group of activists were present, including local leader Rahool Kanal,” police said.

The group of Shinde Sena workers later went to Khar police station and submitted a complaint against Kamra.

Speaking to BBC News Marathi, Shinde said: “Freedom of expression is important but it should not be misused. Many writers engage in satire, but what happened… was an act of immorality, licentious behavior, and a hit job done for money. This same person has previously spoken against the Chief Justice, the Prime Minister, Nirmala Sitharaman, and leading industrialists of this nation. He has clashed with journalists and has even been banned by airlines. This is not freedom of expression — it is speaking on behalf of someone with an agenda.”

On the vandalism by his supporters, he said: “I do not support vandalism. However, when making accusations, one must at least consider the level to which they are stooping. Every action has a reaction. I have immense patience and never react to anyone. Focusing on work and delivering justice to the people — this is what has led us to remarkable success.”

The issue was also raised in the Assembly on Monday, where Shinde Sena members demanded strict action against Kamra. “Our Shiv Sainiks won’t tolerate and spare anyone if our leader is being insulted or mocked. I am not justifying the vandalism as a minister but ultimately I am also a Shiv Sainik first and all this happened because of the insulting remarks,” party minister Pratap Sarnaik said.

“Kamra’s remarks against Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde are condemnable. He should apologise. Poetry and satire is welcome, but those who spread lies and defame for personal gains will invite action,” Fadnavis said in the Assembly.

Meanwhile, Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray backed Kamra. “I don’t think he has said anything wrong. Calling a traitor a traitor is not an attack on anyone… I want to clarify that Shiv Sena has nothing to do with this attack (vandalism)… The attack has been done by ‘gaddar Sena’… Those who have ‘gaddari’ in their blood can never be a Shiv Sainik,” he said.