Comedian Kunal Kamra is once again back in the limelight after a video of him taking a jibe at Maharashtra politics and state elections while referring to “one guy” because of whom the Shiv Sena had to split. He was allegedly referring to Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde as the “one guy”. This comes months after Kamra was caught in a similar firestorm when he attacked Ola CEO Bhavish Aggarwal.
After the video went viral, Shiv Sena workers destroyed the Habitat Comedy Club, the venue where Kamra had performed in the video. Consequently, an FIR was registered against Kamra and Sena workers on Monday. Post the destruction, Habitat issued a statement and mentioned that the artists are responsible for their views.
“Artists are solely responsible for their views and creative choices. 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,” said the comedy club in a statement. The club in the note apologised to those hurt by the video.
Kamra vs Shinde: Politicians Reactions
Apart from this, as the video gained traction, politicians also took to their social media platform X to react to it. Minister of state for Union ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports, Raksha Khadse, said that Kamra shouldn’t misuse his platform.
“He has received a platform to make people laugh and not to make a statement on government or any other political party,” said Khadse on X.
Some leaders have come out to take Kamra’s side especially the opposition leaders in the Maharashtra assembly, including Sanjay Raut. Raut defended the comedian, citing what he said in the video is ‘freedom of speech’.
The matter is not just playing out on social media but has also reached the Maharashtra state legislative assembly floor as Shiv Sena members demanded strict action against the stand-up comedian. Consequently, the house was briefly adjourned.
