Mumbai comedy club Comedian Kunal Kamra’s recent standup act ‘Naya Bharat’ has stirred a row with Shiv Sena workers calling him a ‘traitor’ for allegedly referring to Maharashtra deputy CM Eknath Shinde in his act. Soon after the video of the act went viral on social media, Sena workers vandalised the Habitat Comedy Club in Mumbai’s Khar area where the comedian had performed.
The venue had hit the headlines earlier this year too when podcaster Ranveer Allahbadia made crass remarks during the shooting of the show ‘India’s Got Latent’. The row erupted after Allahbadia’s comments about ‘parents’ sex’ sparked outrage, leading to police action in some regions. Multiple complaints were filed against Allahbadia, Samay Raina, and others involved in the show.
After being ransacked by Sena workers, the Habitat issued a statement on Mondayclaiming that they support creative dialogue and just provide artists a space to perform.
“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,” the Habitat said in a post on their Instagram page.
As per a police official cited by news agency PTI, Shiv Sena workers arrived at the hotel’s auditorium after Kamra’s jibe against Shinde went viral on social media.
Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Sanjay Raut also shared the video on X, captioning it “Kunal Ka Kamal.”
The Habitat in its statement said it was shocked by the acts of vandalism.
“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,” the comedy club said.
“We are shutting down till we figure out the best way to provide a platform for free expression without putting ourselves and our property in jeopardy,” it added.
