FIR against comedian Kunal Kamra & nearly 40 Shiv Sena workers

The Mumbai police have registered an FIR against stand-up comedian Kunal Kamra for allegedly making defamatory remarks against Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde during a show. Officials said, the police also registered a case against nearly 40 Shiv Sena workers for allegedly vandalising the Habitat Studio in Mumbai’s Khar area, where Kamra’s show was filmed, as well as a hotel on whose premises the studio is located.

In the nearly two-minute video, Kamra also mocked the ruling NCP and Shiv Sena, a police official from the MIDC police station said, adding that an investigation was underway. Additionally, the Khar police registered another FIR against 19 identified Shiv Sena members, including Rahul Kanal (Yuva Sena), Vibhag Pramukh Kunal Sarmarkar, and Akshay Panvelkar, along with 15 to 20 unidentified persons for allegedly vandalising the Habitat Studio and ransacking the hotel properties.

Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis has demanded an apology from Kunal Kamra for his controversial remarks and warned of legal action if he fails to do so. Speaking to



reporters at the Vidhan Bhavan premises, Mr Fadnavis asserted that while the Constitution guarantees the right to freedom of speech and expression, disrespectful and insulting remarks would not be tolerated.

Meanwhile, Mumbai police have arrested Shiv Sena functionary Rahul Kanal and 11 others for ransacking the venue at a Mumbai hotel where stand-up comedian Kunal Kamra made a controversial comment against Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde, an official said. Speaking to reporters this morning, Kanal justified his and his fellow functionaries’ actions and warned of more severe consequences in the future.

Union Minister Raksha Khadse has said that there is freedom of speech in the country but it should not be used to defame anyone. Talking to reporters outside Parliament on the issue of reported comments of standup comedian Kunal Kamra against Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde, Ms Khadse said the incident has agitated people. She said people in constitutional posts should be respected.