Kunal Kamra row: Team Thackeray cites PM Modi's take on criticism, questions Shinde faction's vandalism
In an editorial in the Shiv Sena (UBT) mouthpiece ‘Saamana’, the party questioned why there was an extreme response to Kunal Kamra's comments on Eknath Shinde
'Shiv Sena (UBT) mouthpiece ‘Saamana’ questioned the extreme response" by supporters of Maharashtra deputy CM Eknath Shinde towards Kunal Kamra's stand-up act at a venue in Mumbai, in light of PM Modi's recent comments on criticism being the “soul of democracy,” reported news agency PTI.
In an editorial in the newspaper, they stated that Kunal Kamra through a parody song had merely addressed the rebellion led by Eknath Shinde that led to a split in the Shiv Sena in 2022.
Also Read: Kunal Kamra targets Nirmala Sitharaman amid ‘traitor’ jibe row
They also cited recent comments made by prime minister Narendra Modi during a podcast with Lex Fridman, where he called criticism “the soul of democracy.”
"Even before his words could resonate, a pro-Modi Shinde group attacked and destroyed a podcast studio, striking at the very foundation of free speech. Death threats were issued against Kamra, raising serious concerns about law and order in Maharashtra," the Marathi publication said.
Also Read: BMC resumes demolition of Mumbai's Habitat studio where Kunal Kamra mocked Eknath Shinde
'Saamana' questioned why satirical comments made by Kamra, which referenced the formation of two separate Shiv Sena factions and the formation of an “extraconstitutional government”, led to the vandalism of a comedy venue in Mumbai, legal consequences as well as threats towards the comedian.
On Sunday night, Shiv Sena members attacked the Habitat Studio in Mumbai's Khar area, where Kamra's show was filmed, as well as a hotel in whose premises the studio is located.
In his stand-up act, which was uploaded to YouTube, Kunal Kamra in a parody song, had referred to Shinde in veiled terms, and had called him a “traitor," for rebelling against Uddhav Thackeray's leadership and joining hands with the BJP as chief of the Shiv Sena.
The editorial stated, “Slogans about 'khoke' (use of money power) echoed across the state. Kunal Kamra merely rehashed this in a parody song, so what was new? It was 'old wine in a new bottle'.”
"The backlash not only embarrassed Shinde but also made him a subject of ridicule in Maharashtra. Meanwhile, the BJP and Fadnavis are quietly enjoying the spectacle," the editorial claimed.
‘Fadnavis is a weak home minister’: Sena UBT
The publication also slammed Maharashtra chief minister Devendra Fadnavis for allowing an atmosphere of “lawlessness and fear” emerge in the state.
“What was the Maharashtra home minister (Fadnavis) doing? Where was the police when chaos unfolded in Mumbai? Were they silent spectators, or worse, complicit in the act?”, the editorial questioned.
"It has become evident that Fadnavis is a weak home minister. Instead of taking action against those who attacked the studio, he is asking Kamra to apologise to Shinde, essentially underscoring that freedom of speech does not exist," the paper claimed.
‘Saamana’ also accused the government of using the BMC to stifle dissent, stating that the civic body “conveniently realised” that the studio where Kamra performed was an illegal structure and promptly decided to demolish it after Shinde supporters vandalised it.
The Marathi daily claimed that the government was being hypocritical as they had not taken any action against journalist Prashant Koratkar, who allegedly defamed Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj and his son.
