Suggested Topics :
Kunal Kamra Row: Habitat Comedy Club Shuts Down; CM Devendra Fadnavis Reacts
The popular comedy club in Mumbai has announced its closure after a stand-up performance by comedian Kunal Kamra led to vandalism by workers of the Shiv Sena party.
The Habitat Comedy Club in Khar, which has hosted some of India’s most prominent stand-up comedians, found itself at the center of controversy after Kunal Kamra’s act, Naya Bharat, included remarks about Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister and Shiv Sena leader Eknath Shinde.
A video of Kamra’s set went viral on social media, prompting outrage from Shiv Sena members, who labeled him a “traitor.”
On Sunday night, a group of party workers stormed the venue, ransacking the auditorium where Kamra had performed. In response, the club issued a statement condemning the violence and defending its role as a space for artistic expression.
“We urge constructive conversations, not destruction, to address disagreements,” the Habitat wrote in an Instagram post. “Violence and destruction undermine the very spirit of art and dialogue.”
Despite its appeal for civility, the venue later announced it was shutting down indefinitely, citing repeated instances of being “blamed and targeted” for the content of its performers. “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 statement read.
Kamra’s routine, which took jabs at Maharashtra’s political landscape and referred to Shinde as a ‘gaddar’ (traitor), has drawn fierce criticism from the ruling Shiv Sena faction. According to a report by The Hindu, Shiv Sena MLA Murji Patel filed a police complaint against the comedian, demanding an apology. The Mumbai police on Monday subsequently registered an FIR against Kamra under sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, India’s new criminal code, related to public mischief and defamation.
The police also registered a case against around 40 Shiv Sena workers for vandalising the venue where Kamra's show was filmed.
Shiv Sena MP Naresh Mhaske warned Kamra in a video statement, saying, “You will be forced to flee India.” He accused the comedian of working as a “contract comedian” for the rival Shiv Sena (UBT) faction led by Uddhav Thackeray. Meanwhile, Shiv Sena party leader Shaina NC wrote on social media that Kamra’s remarks were not comedy but “vulgarity.”
While speaking to reporters outside the Maharashtra Assembly, Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis said there is no problem with satire, but it should not insult anyone, emphasising that freedom of speech should not be misused.
“This is wrong. You do comedy, do satire. But if someone is trying to insult, it will not be tolerated. Freedom should not be unrestrained behaviour. Kamra should apologise for his behaviour. Action would be taken against him as per the law. His modus operandi is to create a controversy for publicity,” the chief minister said.
“No one has the right to do such low-level comedy and disrespect the former chief minister, deputy chief minister, and senior leaders of the state, who are respected by the people of the state. Is Kamra bigger than the people of Maharashtra?” he added.
Also Read | Why Do Men Find Comfort in Samay Raina's 'India’s Got Latent'?
The Habitat had previously made headlines earlier this year when podcaster Ranveer Allahbadia’s remarks on Samay Raina's show India’s Got Latent sparked outrage. His comments led to multiple police complaints and legal scrutiny of the comedian and others associated with the show.