12 Sena Workers Granted Bail Hours After Arrest For Vandalising Habitat Studio Over Kunal Kamra's Joke
Kunal Kamra's video triggered massive protests from members of the Shiv Sena’s Shinde faction promoting a group to vandalise Habitat Studio and Hotel Unicontinental in Mumbai’s Khar area.
A court has granted bail to 12 Shiv Sena workers from Eknath Shinde’s faction who were arrested for vandalising Mumbai’s Habitat Studio after comedian Kunal Kamra jokes on Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde. Each worker was released on a personal bond of Rs 15,000.
According to an India Today report, the arrests came after these workers attacked the studio following comedian Kunal Kamra sharing a parody song mocking Shinde’s 2022 rebellion against Uddhav Thackeray. The controversy erupted after Kunal Kamra shared a clip from his recent show featuring a parody of a song from the Bollywood movie "Dil To Pagal Hai."
The lyrics alluded to “a leader from Thane” and included remarks about Eknath Shinde’s physical appearance and his association with Devendra Fadnavis. However, Kamra did not explicitly mention Shinde by name.
His video triggered massive protests from members of the Shiv Sena’s Shinde faction. On Sunday, a group vandalised Habitat Studio and Hotel Unicontinental in Mumbai’s Khar area, claiming the video was filmed there.
Following the attack, Kamra posted a brief response on social media, writing, “The only way forward,” alongside an image of himself holding the Constitution.
BMC At Habitat Studio
The incident has since taken on political significance. On Monday, Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation officials arrived at Habitat Studio and began demolishing parts of the property, citing rule violations.
Meanwhile, Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis criticised Kamra’s remarks about the Deputy Chief Minister and insisted that the comedian issue an apology. "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," he said, India Today reported.
In a post on its official Instagram handle, Habitat Studio wrote, "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 are shutting down until 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, audiences, and stakeholders to discuss and share their views freely and request your guidance so that we also respect the performers' rights," Studio added.
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ALSO READ | 'Murder Of Freedom Of Expression': Congress's Pramod Tiwari Backs Kunal Kamra Against Sena 'Hooliganism'
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