MUMBAI: A day after stand-up comedian Kunal Kamra shared videos of his seven-week-old show in which he referred to “gaddar” (traitor) and “baap chori” (stealing the father) – terms that Shiv Sena (UBT) uses for Maharashtra deputy CM Eknath Shinde – his remarks sparked an uproar.
Police filed an FIR against Kamra based on a Shiv Sena complaint, BMC demolished a shed of the city hotel in which the show was shot and cops arrested 12 Shiv Sainiks for vandalising the studio Sunday night. The studio announced its shutdown Monday, stating it would remain shut till it found “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 complaint the FIR was filed, demanded strict action against Kamra and his apology in two days, or else “he won’t be allowed to move freely in Mumbai”.
Police said they would issue a notice to Kamra, who they said is in Pondicherry.
Kamra show shot on Feb 2, upload on Sunday prompted Sena ‘raid’ at venue
CM Devendra Fadnavis said, “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 hotel. The BMC team that landed at the hotel following the video row also checked the basement where the studio is located, with an official saying permission is given “only for storage” there.
Maharashtra 
Kamra’s show was shot on Feb 2 and put out by him on social media on Sunday, after which Sainiks vandalised the venue. The Sena men were produced before Bandra court Monday and released on bail surety of Rs 15,000 each. Wagle Estate police in Thane also registered a non-cognisable offence against Kamra on Monday.
DCP (zone IX) Dikshit Gedam said 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 against Kamra, lodged at MIDC police station in Andheri East and subsequently transferred to Khar, alleged that Kamra had mocked Shinde in his show uploaded on Sunday. Sena MLA Murji Patel, who filed the FIR, stated, “The video showed Kamra using the word ‘gaddar’ (traitor) to refer to the Maharashtra deputy CM.”
Khar police said they did not arrest him as the maximum punishment for sections under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita applied in the case – relating to statements creating public mischief and defamation — is less than seven years, in which case arrests are not shown immediately. Kamra will be called for questioning and his statement recorded, they said.
Meanwhile, among the 12 Shiv Sainiks arrested for vandalism was party functionary Rahool Kanal. The non-cognizable offence registered against Kamra in Thane alleged that Kamra presented a satirical song about Dy CM Shinde, a police officer said.
The complaint was lodged by Rupesh Mishra, a member of the Yuva Sena from Wagle Estate area. Earlier, Habitat had hosted controversial episodes of India’s Got Latent, after which several shows were cancelled.
On its Instagram handle, the studio said 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.”