Kunal Kamra’s stand-up set at a hotel in Mumbai’s Khar had the audience in splits, but once it hit the Internet, it drew backlash from supporters of Maharashtra Deputy CM Eknath Shinde. Shinde supporters stormed the venue and vandalised it. They then went to the Khar Police Station to file a complaint against Kamra. An FIR has been filed against Kamra upon the complaint of Shiv Sena MLA Muraji Patel.  

During his set, Kamra indirectly referred to Shinde as a ‘gaddar’ (traitor) without naming him explicitly. He dropped several hints to make his target clear. First, he mentioned Thane, then referenced a political leader who “hides in Guwahati”, and later brought up Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis.

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Kunal Kamra vs Eknath Shinde: Who said what?

Shiv Sena’s Sanjay Nirupam vows strong action against Kunal Kamra over his remarks against Shinde. Taking to X (formerly Twitter), he wrote, “Kal karenge Kunal Kamra ki dhulai. 11 baje [We will beat him up tomorrow at 11 am].”

“…If there is a restriction on speaking, what will become of you? You are anyway in a bad situation. There are restrictions on you. You would be told to speak just on this and nothing else, that do not interview Jaya Bachchan. Where is freedom of speech? There is freedom of action only when there is a ruckus – beat up the opposition, rape women, murder them. What else? You (Eknath Shinde) left your real party and formed another party for power. Isn’t that an insult of Balasaheb?” SP MP Jaya Bachchan told reporters.

Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar said, “…I have observed that no one should go beyond the law, constitution, and rules. One should speak within their rights. Differences of opinion may exist, but care must be taken to ensure that the police department does not have to intervene due to their statements.”

Kunal Kamra’s joke on Shinde drew reactions from several political leaders. “I will not let you roam not only in Maharashtra but also in India. Don’t try to interfere in our business…,” warned Shiv Sena MP Naresh Mhaske in a video statement. 

“Mumbai police should arrest Kunal Kamra. He should be arrested. He should be put behind bars. A case should be filed against him. Whatever Kunal Kamra has said about Eknath Shinde, it is disrespectful to those living in Maharashtra. Eknath Shinde is our Deputy CM and Shiv Sena leader. No party worker will tolerate this…,” Shiv Sena leader Krishna Hegde said in a video statement. 

Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Sanjay Raut reposted Kamra’s video on X (formerly Twitter) and captioned it: “Kunal Ka Kamal. Jai Maharashtra.”

“Fadnavis ji, the Home Minister must be proud of his alliance partner,” Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Priyanka Chaturvedi wrote on Twitter (now X) while sharing a video from the hotel where Sena workers went on a rampage. 

“Mindhe’s coward gang breaks the comedy show stage where comedian Kunal Kamra put out a song on eknath mindhe which was 100% true. Only an insecure coward would react to a song by someone. Btw law and order in the state? Another attempt to undermine the CM and Home Minister by eknath mindhe. Another attempt to undermine the CM and Home Minister by eknath mindhe (sic),” wrote Aaditya Thackeray while condemning the attack by Sena workers on X. 

Shiv Sena Yuva Sena (Shinde faction) General Secretary Rahool Kanal warned Kunal Kamra of the consequences of his comments on Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde. He said, “Abhi tak toh ye trailer hai, picture abhi baki hai.”

“It is not about taking any law in your hands. It is purely about your self-respect. When it comes to elders or respectable citizens of the country… when your elders are targeted, you will target someone of that mentality… The message (for Kunal Kamra) is clear, ‘Abhi tak toh ye trailer hai, picture abhi baki hai.’ Whenever you are in Mumbai, you will get a good lesson in Shiv Sena style,” he added.

What did Kunal Kamra say during the show?

“What they did in the Maharashtra elections…. Shiv Sena left BJP, then Shiv Sena left Shiv Sena. NCP left NCP. They gave one voter nine buttons. Everyone got confused. One clever man did this. He comes from a very prominent district in Mumbai – Thane,” Kamra said during the show. 

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He then went on to sing the parody of the song: “Thane ki rickshaw, chehre pe daadhi, ankhon pe chashma, haye! Thane ki rickshaw, chehre pe daadhi, ankhon pe chashma, haye! Ek jhalak dikhlaye kabhi Guwahati mein chup jaaye. Meri nazar se tum dekho, gaddar nazar wo aye. Thane ki rickshaw, chehre pe daadhi, ankhon pe chashma, haye!”

“Mantri nahi wo dalbadlu hai, aur kaha kya jaye? Jis thali me khaaye, usme hi wo ched kar jaye. Mantralay se zyada, Fadnavis ki godi me mil jaye. Teer kaman mila hai isko, baap mera yeh chahe. Thane ki rickshaw, chehre pe daadhi, ankhon pe chashma, haye!” he added.