Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Sanjay Raut on Tuesday reacted to the ongoing row over Kunal Kamra saying that the comedian won't bow down before anyone. Calling Kunal Kamra a fighter, Raut said he and the comedian share the same DNA.
Kamra stirred a row on Sunday, after he took a jibe at Maharashtra Deputy CM Eknath Shinde in a show filmed in Mumbai.
“I know Kamra. We share the same DNA. He is a fighter,” Raut told news agency PTI.
"He won’t apologise. If you have to act against him, you have to take recourse to lawful steps," he said.
Responding to Raut's remarks, Maharashtra Minister of State for Home Yogesh Kadam said, "The DNA of Kamra and Raut could be the same. He (Kamra) is mad and so is this person (Raut)."
BJP MLC Parinay Phuke claimed that the Congress "or other parties" are supporting Kamra. Asked about Raut’s DNA comment, Phuke said, "Their DNA must be the same because the DNA of scoundrels is the same."
Meanwhile, Maharashtra Minister Uday Samant, speaking on the issue, said Kunal Kamra is getting more attention than he deserves.
"People are giving more attention to Kunal Kamra than he deserves...He should come to Maharashtra and not speak just by sitting in Pondicherry... He has spoken ill for several people, and those who are supporting him are more deformed than he is," Uday Samant said.
Kamra has said he will not apologise for his controversial comments about Shinde and criticized the vandalism of the venue in Mumbai where the comedy show was recorded.
The comedian has kicked up a major political storm for taking a jibe at Shinde's political career in his show by modifying the lyrics of a popular Hindi movie song.
On Sunday night, Shiv Sena members damaged the Habitat Comedy Club in Khar, where Kamra's show took place, as well as a hotel in whose premises the club is located.
Police on Monday arrested Shiv Sena functionary Rahul Kanal and 11 others for ransacking the show venue. A local court granted them bail the same day.