Vandalism, FIR, demolition, warning: Kunal Kamra read riot act | India News

(L) BMC employees tear down an ‘unauthorised’ shed on the terrace of the lodge the place Kunal Kamra recorded the video; Kamra posted an image of himself holding a replica of the Constitution on X on Monday.

MUMBAI: A day after slapstick comedian Kunal Kamra shared movies of his seven-week-old present during which he referred to “gaddar” (traitor) and “baap chori” (stealing the daddy) – phrases that Shiv Sena (UBT) makes use of for Maharashtra deputy CM Eknath Shinde – his remarks sparked an uproar.
Police filed an FIR towards Kamra based mostly on a Shiv Sena grievance, BMC demolished a shed of town lodge during which the present was shot and cops arrested 12 Shiv Sainiks for vandalising the studio Sunday night time. The studio introduced its shutdown Monday, stating it might stay shut until it discovered “the best way to provide a platform for free expression without putting ourselves and our property in jeopardy”.
Shiv Sena MLA Murji Patel, on whose grievance the FIR was filed, demanded strict motion towards Kamra and his apology in two days, or else “he won’t be allowed to move freely in Mumbai”.
Police mentioned they’d difficulty a discover to Kamra, who they mentioned is in Pondicherry.

Kamra present shot on Feb 2, add on Sunday prompted Sena ‘raid’ at venue
CM Devendra Fadnavis mentioned, “Anyone has the right to do stand-up comedy. But they should not use freedom of expression to do whatever they want. Kamra had no right to insult Shinde. We condemn this and will not tolerate it.”
The “unauthorised” shed razed by BMC stood between two wings of the lodge. The BMC crew that landed on the lodge following the video row additionally checked the basement the place the studio is situated, with an official saying permission is given “only for storage” there.

Kamra’s present was shot on Feb 2 and put out by him on social media on Sunday, after which Sainiks vandalised the venue. The Sena males had been produced earlier than Bandra court docket Monday and launched on bail surety of Rs 15,000 every. Wagle Estate police in Thane additionally registered a non-cognisable offence towards Kamra on Monday.

DCP (zone IX) Dikshit Gedam mentioned two offences have been registered with Khar police. “The first FIR is against the comedian for derogatory comments. The second is against the people who ransacked the hotel. Further investigation is on.”
The FIR towards Kamra, lodged at MIDC police station in Andheri East and subsequently transferred to Khar, alleged that Kamra had mocked Shinde in his present uploaded on Sunday. Sena MLA Murji Patel, who filed the FIR, said, “The video showed Kamra using the word ‘gaddar’ (traitor) to refer to the Maharashtra deputy CM.”

Khar police mentioned they didn’t arrest him as the utmost punishment for sections beneath the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita utilized within the case – referring to statements creating public mischief and defamation — is lower than seven years, during which case arrests aren’t proven instantly. Kamra might be known as for questioning and his assertion recorded, they mentioned.
Meanwhile, among the many 12 Shiv Sainiks arrested for vandalism was occasion functionary Rahool Kanal. The non-cognizable offence registered towards Kamra in Thane alleged that Kamra introduced a satirical tune about Dy CM Shinde, a police officer mentioned.

The grievance was lodged by Rupesh Mishra, a member of the Yuva Sena from Wagle Estate space. Earlier, Habitat had hosted controversial episodes of India’s Got Latent, after which a number of reveals had been cancelled.
On its Instagram deal with, the studio mentioned on Monday, “We invite all artists, audience and stakeholders to discuss and share their views freely and request your guidance so that we also respect the performers’ rights… 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 have never been involved in the content performed by any artist, but the recent events have made us rethink about how we get blamed and targeted every time, almost like we are a proxy for the performer. We urge constructive conversations, not destruction, to address disagreements. We do not support hate or harm of any kind. Violence and destruction undermine the very spirit of art and dialogue.”