FIR filed against Shinde Sena's youth group for comedy set vandalism over Kunal Kamra controversy

Amid the controversy over Kunal Kamra’s stand-up special ‘Naya Bharat’, an FIR has been registered against Shiv Sena Yuva Sena’s (Shinde Faction) General Secretary Rahool Kanal and 19 others. They are accused of vandalising the set of Habitat, a stand-up comedy venue in Mumbai, Maharashtra.

According to Sub-Inspector Vijay of Khar police station, members of the Shinde Sena's youth wing disrupted a live stand-up show by comedian Rajat Sood. They reportedly forced the show to be closed down and vandalised the set.

An FIR has been filed under multiple sections of the Bharatiya Nyay Sanhita (BNS), 2023, including Sections 132, 189(2), 189(3), 190, 191(2), 324(5), 324(6), 223, 351(2), 352, 333, 37(1), and 135. Additionally, sections 37(1) and 135 of the Maharashtra Police Act have been applied.


This incident follows the Shinde Sena leaders' criticism of Kamra's new stand-up special, accusing him of “mocking” Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde.

Earlier, Shiv Sena MP Milind Deora defended the Deputy CM, saying, “Mocking Eknath Shinde ji—a self-made leader who rose from driving an auto to leading India's 2nd largest state—reeks of classist arrogance.”

He added, “India is rejecting entitled monarchs and their bootlicking ecosystem that pretends to champion meritocracy and democracy.”

Kamra's stand-up sketch, posted on YouTube, allegedly made objectionable remarks about Eknath Shinde. Reacting to this, Shiv Sena MP Naresh Mhaske called Kamra a “hired comedian” paid to make comments against their leader.

Meanwhile, Shiv Sena MLA Murji Patel has also filed a complaint against Kamra at the MIDC police station, demanding strict action and an apology within two days. Patel warned that if Kamra does not apologise, Shiv Sainiks would ensure he cannot move freely in Mumbai.

“We have filed an FIR against Kunal Kamra for his comments against our leader and Maharashtra's DCM Eknath Shinde. We have demanded quick action against him. I want to tell him to apologise to Eknath Shinde within two days; otherwise, Shiv Sainiks will not let him move about freely in Mumbai,” Patel said on Sunday.

Inputs from ANI