Mumbai’s Habitat Comedy Club, which recently hosted comedians Kunal Kamra and Samay Raina, has announced its closure after being ransacked by Shiv Sena workers protesting against Kamra’s remarks about Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde.
Kamra’s stand-up act, titled ‘Naya Bharat,’ sparked controversy after a segment allegedly referring to Shinde went viral on social media.
Enraged Sena workers stormed the club’s premises in Khar, vandalising the venue in protest. Kamra was branded a ‘traitor’ by some members of the party, who accused him of disrespecting the state’s leadership.
The club, in its statement issued on Monday, expressed shock over the attack. “We are shocked, worried, and extremely broken by the recent acts of vandalism targeting us.
Artists are solely responsible for their views and creative choices. We have never been involved in the content performed by any artist, but the recent events have made us rethink how we get blamed and targeted every time, almost like we are a proxy for the performer,” it said.
“We are shutting down till we figure out the best way to provide a platform for free expression without putting ourselves and our property in jeopardy,” the statement added.
Also read: Shiv Sena workers ransack hotel after Kamra’s jibe at Shinde
The controversy escalated when Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Sanjay Raut shared the video of Kamra’s performance on X, captioning it “Kunal Ka Kamal.”
The comedian, in his act, had taken a swipe at Maharashtra politics, referring to the split within the Shiv Sena and Nationalist Congress Party (NCP), and using the term ‘gaddar’ (traitor) in a satirical tone.
Shiv Sena MLA Murji Patel lodged a police complaint against Kamra, with Mumbai police confirming that an investigation was underway. Another Sena leader, MP Naresh Mhaske, issued a video warning, stating, “You will be forced to flee India.”
The incident has reignited debates over freedom of expression and artistic liberty.
Sena (UBT) legislator Aaditya Thackeray condemned the attack on the venue, calling it a “cowardly” act.
“Mindhe’s coward gang breaks the comedy show stage where comedian @kunalkamra88 put out a song on Eknath Mindhe, which was 100 per cent true. Only an insecure coward would react to a song by someone,” Thackeray posted on X.
Meanwhile, The Habitat distanced itself from Kamra’s content, stating, “We extend a sincere and heartfelt apology to all those hurt by this video.”
The club, which had also drawn controversy earlier this year over podcaster Ranveer Allahbadia’s remarks, has been at the centre of multiple free speech debates.
The vandalism at The Habitat has raised concerns over rising intolerance towards satire and political commentary in public spaces.
While supporters of Kamra argue that his performance was within the ambit of free speech, Shiv Sena leaders maintain that it was an insult to Maharashtra’s leadership.
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