March 24, 2025: In the ongoing controversy surrounding stand-up comedian Kunal Kamra’s remarks, several political figures, including Samajwadi Party (SP) MP Jaya Bachchan and Shiv Sena (UBT) MPs, have come out in defense of Kamra’s freedom of expression and condemned the vandalism of the Mumbai venue where his show was filmed.
Jaya Bachchan spoke at the Parliament premises, questioning the limitations on free speech in the country. She expressed her concerns about the growing restrictions on freedom of expression and criticized the actions of those who resorted to violence. “If there is a restriction on speaking, what will become of you? There are restrictions on you. You would be told to speak just on this and nothing else,” Bachchan said, further highlighting how freedom of action is only allowed when there is chaos and violence.
Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Arvind Sawant defended Kamra, asserting that the comedian’s remarks in his comedy special, Naya Bharat, were truthful. He emphasized that Kamra’s words were legitimate critiques, adding, “If we say there is democracy in this country, we must accept all of this.” Sawant also drew comparisons to the late Shiv Sena founder Balasaheb Thackeray, who, as a cartoonist, often caricatured prominent political figures, and questioned whether Thackeray would have been persecuted in today’s climate.
Sawant also condemned the vandalism at the Habitat Comedy Club in Khar, Mumbai, where Kamra’s show was filmed. He called for action against those responsible for damaging the venue and said, “FIR should be registered against those who vandalized… Can’t they accept criticism?”
Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Priyanka Chaturvedi also condemned the vandalism, calling it a reflection of growing intolerance in the country. She noted the disproportionate response to Kamra’s joke, which did not even mention the name of Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde directly. “They are threatening over a joke where Eknath Shinde’s name was not even mentioned; only the intelligent would have gotten the hint,” Chaturvedi pointed out.
The controversy erupted after a group from the Shiv Sena (Eknath Shinde) youth wing entered the Habitat Comedy Club during another live show, forcing the performance to end and causing significant damage to the set. The Shiv Sena youth wing’s actions have sparked a broader debate about the limits of protest and the right to free expression.
An FIR has been filed against both Kunal Kamra for his controversial remarks and the Shiv Sena youth wing for their involvement in the vandalism.
The incident continues to fuel conversations about freedom of speech, the role of protest, and the increasing intolerance for dissent in the country.