Comedian Kunal Kamra's latest stand-up performance has sparked outrage among supporters of Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde and Shiv Sena leaders. On Sunday, furious over Kamra's stand-up comedy, Shiv Sena leaders vandalised the Mumbai venue. They also warned, calling the incident "just a trailer." Shiv Sena leader Rahool Kanal stated, "This is just a trailer. If anybody says anything derogatory about our senior leader, our elders then we will not spare them."

A complaint has been lodged against Kunal Kamra for allegedly making defamatory remarks about Eknath Shinde. Following the complaint, an FIR was registered early Monday under various provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), including Section 353(1)(b) for statements inciting public mischief and Section 356(2) for defamation, according to an official from the MIDC police station.

In response to the controversy, the stand-up comedian shared a post on X featuring a picture of himself holding the pocket edition of the Constitution of India. He captioned the post, “The only way forward.”

During his latest stand-up, Kunal Kamra mocked the political scenario in Maharashtra, referencing Eknath Shinde and Ajit Pawar’s split from the Shiv Sena and the Nationalist Congress Party. He also performed a song which appeared to be a parody of a Dil Toh Pagal Hai track.

"Jo inhone Maharashtra ke election me kia hai... bolna padega... pehle Shiv Sena BJP se bahar aa gayi fir Shiv Sena Shiv Sena se bahar aa gayi... NCP NCP se bahar aa gayi... ek voter ko 9 button dediye... sab confuse ho gaye," sang Kamra. “Thane ki rickshaw, chehre pe daadi, aankho me chashma haaye... Thane ki rickshaw, chehre pe daadi, aankho me chashma haaye...ek jhalak dikhlaye kabhi Guwahati me chup jaaye...meri nazar se tum dekho gaddar nazar wo aaye... mantri nahi wo dalbadlu hai aur kaha kya jaaye... jiss thali me khaye usme hi chhed kar jaaye... mantralay se zyada Fadnavis ki godi me mil jaye... teer kaman mila hai isko baap mera yeh chahe...,” Kunal Kamra did the whole performance of the song, the entire parody without taking any names.

On Sunday night, a large group of Shiv Sena workers gathered outside Hotel Unicontinental, where the club is located, and vandalised both the club and hotel premises. In response, the police have registered cases against around 40 Shiv Sena leaders and workers for damaging the Habitat studio. On Monday, Habitat announced the closure of its studio, where Kunal Kamra's show was held. This is the same venue where the controversial India’s Got Latent show was filmed.

“We are shocked, worried, and extremely broken by the recent acts of vandalism targeting us ", the studio's official account shared in a social media post. “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 how we get blamed and targeted every time almost like we are a proxy for the performer." “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."

As the controversy continued over Kamra's comments about Eknath Shinde, Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis stated that Kamra should apologise. Speaking to reporters on Monday, Fadnavis asserted, "This will not be tolerated."

"There is freedom to do stand-up comedy, but he cannot speak whatever he wants. The people of Maharashtra have decided who the traitor is. Kunal Kamra should apologise. This will not be tolerated. There is the right to comedy, but if it is being done to defame our Dy CM Eknath Shinde purposely, it is not right. Kunal Kamra has posted the same red constitution book shown by Rahul Gandhi. Both of them have not read the Constitution. The Constitution allows us freedom of speech, but it has limitations," stated Fadnavis. "People have voted and supported us in the assembly elections in 2024. Those who were traitors were sent home by the people. The people showed those who insulted the mandate and ideology of Balasaheb Thackeray their place. One may create humour, but making derogatory statements cannot be accepted. One cannot encroach on others' freedom and ideology. This cannot be justified as the Freedom of speech," he stated further.

NCP leader and Maharashtra Deputy CM Ajit Pawar stated, "Nobody should go beyond law, Constitution and rules. They should speak within their rights. There can be differences, but it should be noted that there need not be Police involvement."

Maharashtra Minister Pratap Sarnaik expresses, "As a minister, I don't support the incident that took place yesterday. But I am a Shiv Sainik before I am a minister. Our Shiv Sainiks took that action because if anyone speaks anything against our party chief and Dy CM Eknath Shinde, we will not tolerate it."

Following the uproar over Shiv Sena workers vandalising a Mumbai studio in protest against comedian Kunal Kamra’s remarks about party chief Eknath Shinde, the city’s civic body has carried out a demolition inside the studio, citing rule violations. Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) officials arrived today at the Khar-based studio with hammers and began demolition. The specific violations leading to this action are yet to be disclosed, but sources claim the studio is located in an encroached area between two hotels.

The ruling coalition influences the civic body with the BMC currently led by an IAS officer and municipal elections pending. Given this context, the demolition is expected to face strong criticism from the Opposition and further escalate the controversy. Earlier today, the management of Mumbai's Habitat Studio announced their decision to temporarily close the venue, stating that they are not accountable for the opinions expressed by the artists performing there.