Mumbai: Comedian Kunal Kamra has refused to back down after his remark, perceived as targeting Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde, sparked outrage. According to police sources, Kamra, who spoke to the Mumbai Police from Tamil Nadu, stated he had no regrets and would only apologize if directed by the courts. Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, who demanded an apology, dismissed the comedian’s remarks as “low-level comedy” and an insult to the Deputy Chief Minister. Kamra also denied allegations that he was financially backed by opposition parties to attack Shinde, even offering authorities access to his financial records for verification.

The controversy escalated further when Mumbai’s civic body demolished the studio where Kamra performed, citing unspecified violations. This came shortly after the venue was vandalized by Shiv Sena workers, who stormed the space, overturned furniture, and damaged property. Protesters also burned Kamra’s photograph outside a police station in Thane, a known stronghold of Shinde. The studio’s owners distanced themselves from Kamra’s comments and announced their decision to temporarily shut down, stating that they needed to reassess how to maintain a platform for free expression while ensuring safety.

This latest backlash against Kamra comes amid ongoing tensions within Maharashtra’s political landscape. The comedian’s remark referring to Shinde as ‘gaddar’ was a nod to the leader’s 2022 rebellion against Uddhav Thackeray, which led to the Shiv Sena’s split and a BJP-backed government. While BJP leaders have filed multiple police complaints against Kamra, opposition figures like Aaditya Thackeray and Priyanka Chaturvedi have criticized the vandalism and defended the comedian’s right to free speech. Chaturvedi pointed out that Kamra never directly named Shinde, questioning the government’s intolerance toward satire and criticism.