• Source:JND
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Kunal Kamra Row: Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray has come out in support of comedian Kunal Kamra, defending his remarks against Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde. Thackeray dismissed the controversy, stating that there was nothing wrong with Kamra’s comments.

Speaking to reporters on Monday, Thackeray explained, “I don’t think Kunal Kamra said anything wrong. Calling a ‘gaddar’ a ‘gaddar’ is not an attack on anyone.” He added that the incident had nothing to do with the Shiv Sena party, claiming it was an action from the “gaddar sena” (traitor group). Thackeray also remarked that anyone with “gaddari” (treason) in their blood could never truly be a Shiv Sainik.

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The controversy stems from Kamra’s performance, during which he referred to Shinde as a “traitor” and sang a parody of a popular Hindi song from Dil Toh Pagal Hai film, mocking Shinde’s 2022 rebellion against Uddhav Thackeray. The performance took place at the Habitat Comedy Club in Mumbai’s Khar area, where videos of the event went viral.

In response to the show, workers from the Shiv Sena (Eknath Shinde faction) vandalised the venue. Following the incident, they filed a First Information Report (FIR) against Kamra. The attack on the comedy club escalated when Shiv Sena leaders, including Aditya Thackeray, condemned the violence.

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Aditya Thackeray accused Shinde's supporters of being “cowards” for disrupting the comedy show, calling their actions a sign of insecurity. He further criticised the vandalism, saying, “This is taporigiri and mawalipana (gangster behaviour). Will the Chief Minister put an end to this?”

The controversy also led to the arrest of Shiv Sena functionary Rahul Kanal and 11 others on Monday for their involvement in the ransacking of the Mumbai hotel venue. Despite the escalating tensions, Uddhav Thackeray and his supporters continue to defend Kamra’s right to free speech.