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A stand-up comedy venue in Mumbai,India, was vandalised on Sunday night after comedian Kunal Kamra ridiculed Maharashtra’s Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde during a performance, prompting a police investigation into both the vandalism and Kamra himself. Kunal Kamra, known for his sharp political humour, performed a parody song during a show at The Habitat comedy club in Mumbai, where he referred to Shinde as a “traitor” — a reference to the politician’s dramatic defection in 2022 that sparked a major political upheaval in the state. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Hindustan Times (@hindustantimes) Soon after the show ended, supporters from Shinde’s faction of the Shiv Sena party stormed the venue. Video footage circulating online showed dozens of men throwing chairs, smashing light fixtures, and tearing down paintings. Local media reported that police are searching for at least 20 individuals involved in the attack. The Habitat issued a statement the next day, announcing it would shut down indefinitely while it assessed how to “provide a platform for free expression” without compromising safety. View this post on Instagram A post shared by The Habitat (@indiehabitat) “We are shocked, worried and extremely broken by the recent acts of vandalism targeting us,” the club posted on social media. Police confirmed that a defamation complaint had also been registered against Kamra for allegedly insulting a political leader. Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, an ally of Shinde, criticised the comedian’s remarks and called for accountability. “Insult of leaders cannot be tolerated,” Fadnavis told reporters. “Everyone has the right to perform stand-up comedy, but freedom should not be unrestrained behaviour. Action will be taken under the law.” Kamra has not responded directly to the complaint, but late on Sunday he posted a photo of himself holding a copy of the Indian Constitution with the caption: “The only way forward.” View this post on Instagram A post shared by Kunal Kamra (@kuna_kamra) The backlash extended to political threats. Shiv Sena MLA Naresh Mhaske posted a video warning Kamra: “You will be forced to flee India.” Shinde, who has remained silent on the incident, became a deeply polarising figure after leading a factional split in the Shiv Sena, toppling the Uddhav Thackeray-led coalition government. Kamra is no stranger to controversy. A vocal critic of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), he has frequently drawn ire from Hindu nationalist groups. In 2021, fellow comedian Munawar Faruqui was jailed for over a month for allegedly insulting Hindu deities, and later had multiple shows cancelled due to threats from right-wing activists. The incident has once again spotlighted concerns over freedom of expression in India. Rights advocates and fellow performers say political satire is increasingly under attack, especially when it targets figures close to the ruling establishment. Kamra’s supporters and free speech advocates have condemned the vandalism and called on authorities to ensure the safety of artists across the country.
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