Kunal Kamra Defiant Over ‘Gaddar’ Joke At Eknath Shinde Amid Sena Fury: 'No Regrets'

Comedian Kunal Kamra has informed Mumbai Police that he stands by his "gaddar" (traitor) remark, widely interpreted as aimed at Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde, according an NDTV report.

Kamra stated he would only issue an apology-something demanded by Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, who earlier today told the Assembly that the freedom of expression defence does not cover "low-level comedy and disrespecting the Deputy Chief Minister"-if ordered to do so by the courts.

Photo Credit: https://x.com/kunalkamra88; https://x.com/mieknathshinde

Police sources added that Kamra, speaking from Tamil Nadu, dismissed rumours of being paid by the opposition to target Shinde. He reportedly authorised the police to examine his financial records to verify that no such payment had been made, if necessary.

This development emerged shortly after the Mumbai studio hosting Kamra's performance was demolished by the city's civic authority, citing an unspecified breach of regulations.

The demolition followed an attack on the studio by Shiv Sena activists on Sunday night. Sena supporters also set fire to Kamra's photo outside a police station in Thane, considered Shinde's political heartland.

Footage of the vandalism depicted a mob wreaking havoc inside the studio, located in Mumbai's Khar area, smashing property and hurling chairs.

The studio's owners-Habitat Studio, previously the venue for an *India's Got Latent* episode featuring influencer Ranveer Allahabadia-had earlier distanced themselves from Kamra's remarks, asserting they were not responsible for performers' statements.

They also announced a temporary closure, saying, "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."

The row - not Kamra's first brush with controversy-erupted after he appeared to brand Shinde a "gaddar" (traitor), a nod to Shinde's 2022 rebellion against Uddhav Thackeray, then-leader of the undivided Shiv Sena. That revolt split the party and toppled Thackeray's government.

Shinde's faction subsequently allied with the BJP to form the current administration.

The BJP-led state government's fury has led to multiple police complaints against Kamra, including one stemming from Maharashtra Transport Minister Pratap Sarnaik.

A police case has also been lodged against those who vandalised the studio.

Kamra's comment has sparked backlash from the opposition, notably the Uddhav Thackeray-led Sena faction. Aaditya Thackeray, Uddhav's son, called Shinde an "insecure coward," while colleague Priyanka Chaturvedi noted that Kamra hadn't explicitly named Shinde.

"Their vandalism shows that it hurt them and that there is truth in the joke. What kind of intolerance is this? If you don't like something, file a police complaint..." she remarked.