Comedian Kunal Kamra’s satirical take on Eknath Shinde sparks political outrage; FIRs filed against both Kamra and protesting Shiv Sena workers.
March 24, 2025: Stand-up Comic’s Joke on Eknath Shinde Triggers Shiv Sena Outrage, Leaders Detained for Vandalism
Mumbai witnessed political turbulence on Sunday after Shiv Sena workers vandalised Hotel UniContinental in Khar, the venue of comedian Kunal Kamra’s stand-up show, over a joke allegedly aimed at Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde. The act led to the detention of Sena leaders Rahool Kanal, Shrikant Sarmalkar, and several others by Mumbai Police.
The vandalism came after Kamra, known for his political satire, tweaked a song from the film Dil Toh Pagal Hai during a show to make a veiled “gaddar” (traitor) reference — widely interpreted as a dig at Shinde.
Police later registered an FIR against Kanal, Sarmalkar, and 17 unidentified persons. While being taken to the police station, Sarmalkar told the media, “We have to see whether they arrest us or release us after giving notice.”
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FIR Against Kunal Kamra
The backlash didn’t stop there. Shiv Sena MLA Murji Patel filed an FIR against Kamra at the MIDC Police Station, demanding legal action and a public apology within two days. He warned of protests if Kamra failed to comply, saying, “He will not be allowed to move freely in Mumbai.”
Patel also stated that if Kamra is seen in public, party workers would “paint his face black,” and he pledged to raise the matter in the Maharashtra Legislative Assembly.
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Kamra’s Controversial Joke
While Kamra didn’t name Shinde directly, his satirical rendition of a Bollywood song clearly struck a political nerve. The stand-up show clip quickly went viral, prompting intense reactions from Shinde’s supporters and members of the ruling alliance.
Meanwhile, police have begun scrutinising the incident and are investigating both the vandalism and the content of Kamra’s show for further legal steps.
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Kunal Kamra, Eknath Shinde, Shiv Sena, Maharashtra politics, hotel vandalism, stand-up comedy controversy, Khar police, FIR against comedian, political protests India, Mumbai news