Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray addressed the controversy surrounding comedian Kunal Kamra’s remarks against Maharashtra Deputy CM Eknath Shinde, defending Kamra’s statements. Thackeray asserted that calling a “traitor” a “gaddar” is not offensive.
“I don’t think Kunal Kamra said anything wrong. Calling ‘gaddar’ a ‘gaddar’ is not an attack on anyone…Hear the full song (from Kunal Kamra’s show) and make others hear it too,” he stated, as quoted by ANI.
#WATCH | On Kunal Kamra row and vandalism by Shiv Sena (Shinde faction) workers, Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray says, "I don't think Kunal Kamra said anything wrong. Calling 'gaddar', a 'gaddar' is not an attack on anyone…Hear the full song (from Kunal Kamra's show) and… pic.twitter.com/MKZAs8N90T
— ANI (@ANI) March 24, 2025
Thackeray also distanced his party from the vandalization of Habitat Studio at the Unicontinental Hotel in Mumbai’s Khar area. “Shiv Sena has nothing to do with this attack, this has been done by ‘gaddar sena’…Those who have ‘gaddari’ in their blood can never be a Shiv Sainik,” he added.
The incident unfolded after Kamra, during his performance at Habitat Studio, referred to Shinde as a “traitor” and sang a parody about him. On Sunday night, Shiv Sena workers stormed the venue, disrupting another comedian’s show before vandalizing the studio.
Following the attack, Mumbai Police arrested 11 members of Shiv Sena’s youth wing, Yuva Sena, for their involvement. Authorities confirmed that the group halted an ongoing performance before damaging the venue where Kamra’s special was recorded.
Meanwhile, Shiv Sena MLA Murji Patel lodged an FIR against Kamra over his remarks about Eknath Shinde, demanding strict action.
Eknath Shinde had previously led a split in Shiv Sena in 2022, toppling Uddhav Thackeray’s Maharashtra Vikas Aghadi (MVA) government. The Election Commission of India later recognized Shinde’s faction as the official Shiv Sena, granting them the party’s name and symbol.
