Violence erupts at Mumbai comedy club following satirical song about politician

A Mumbai comedy club has been ransacked by a mob and partially demolished after a performance by one of India’s most prominent comedians, Kunal Kamra, who performed a satirical song about Eknath Shinde, the deputy chief minister of Maharashtra. Shinde, who switched his political allegiance in 2022, was referred to as a “gaddar” or traitor in the song. Kamra is known for his bold comedy that often targets political figures, a rare move in India where making political jokes is fraught with the risk of backlash.

Shiv Sena party supporters descended on the Habitat comedy club on Sunday, smashing the venue and causing damage to its property. The event prompted criticism from Shinde’s party leaders, culminating in the arrest of about 12 people, including Rahul Kanal, the leader of Shiv Sena’s youth faction. The Shiv Sena-led government has accused Kamra of instigating violence and vowed to teach the comedian a lesson.

The opposition in Maharashtra has condemned the violence and colonial treatment of comedians. Shinde’s former political ally, Aaditya Thackeray, dismissed the retaliation as the act of “insecure cowards.” The incident highlights the diminishing space for freedom of expression in India, particularly under the Hindu nationalist Bharatiya Janata party. In recent years, comedians and comedy venues have been targeted and accused of insulting religious figures or making indecent jokes, despite not performing the content in question. The state government has also claimed the comedy club was “illegal” and has demolished part of the building.

Source: https://www.theguardian.com/world/2025/mar/24/mumbai-comedy-club-ransacked-after-kunal-kamra-joke-about-local-politician