The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) on Monday demolished Habitat Studio, citing unauthorised construction. The civic body also announced that it would inspect the hotel for further violations.
“The temporary shed and other structures comprising the studio, which was created in the basement of the hotel, have been razed. It was removed as there was no civic permission to create a studio in the basement,” a BMC official stated, as per news agency PTI.
The attack followed comedian Kunal Kamra’s recent remarks during a performance, where he used the term “gaddar” (traitor), widely interpreted as a reference to Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde. The comment drew strong reactions from the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)-Shiv Sena coalition government, with Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis demanding an apology.
BMC officials arrive at Habitat Studio with hammers, news agency ANI reported.
Kunal Kamra refused to apologise after Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis sought a retraction for his remarks against Deputy CM Eknath Shinde. Kamra, in a statement, asserted his right to freedom of speech while questioning the selective enforcement of the law against those who vandalised the venue where his show was filmed.
According to sources cited by NDTV, Kamra told the Mumbai Police that he would only apologise if directed by a court. Additionally, police sources told NDTV that Kamra, who spoke to them from Tamil Nadu, denied allegations that he was paid by the opposition to target Shinde. He reportedly permitted authorities to examine his financial records to verify that no such payments were made.
The vandalism at Habitat Studio was followed by a protest in Thane—considered Shinde’s political stronghold—where Sena workers burned Kamra’s photo outside a police station. Videos circulating online showed a mob storming the studio, damaging property and throwing chairs.
Mumbai Studio Shut Down After Vandalism Over Kunal Kamra’s ‘Traitor’ Remark
Habitat Studio, which hosted Kamra’s show and had earlier featured influencer Ranveer Allahabadia on the ‘India’s Got Latent’ programme, distanced itself from the comedian’s remarks. The management stated, “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.”
Citing security concerns, the studio announced its closure, saying, “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.” The management also extended an invitation to artists, audiences, and stakeholders to discuss ways to uphold performers’ rights while ensuring safety.
The controversy surrounding Kamra’s remarks is the latest in a series of political flashpoints involving the comedian. The BJP-led Maharashtra government has registered multiple police complaints against him, including one filed by state Transport Minister Pratap Sarnaik. Meanwhile, a separate case has been filed against those involved in the vandalism at the studio.
Leaders from the opposition, particularly the Uddhav Thackeray-led Shiv Sena faction, criticised the government’s response. Aaditya Thackeray labelled Shinde an “insecure coward,” while party leader Priyanka Chaturvedi questioned the intolerance surrounding the issue. “Their vandalism shows that it hurt them and that there is truth in the joke. What kind of intolerance is this? If you don’t like something, file a police complaint…” she remarked.
Habitat Studio also issued a public statement asserting that it had no involvement in Kamra’s latest video and did not endorse the views expressed in it. The management apologised to those who were “hurt by the video,” but reiterated that it could not be held accountable for statements made by performers.