Kunal Kamra vs Shiv Sena: Mumbai studio 'shuts down' after vandalism

The studio where Kunal Kamra performed expressed concern over the incident and said it would remain closed 'until we find a way to support free expression without risking our safety or property'

The Habitat Studio, a popular venue for stand-up comedy in Mumbai, has announced it will shut down indefinitely after being vandalised by Shiv Sena workers on Sunday night. The attack was in response to comedian Kunal Kamra’s video mocking Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister and Shiv Sena leader Eknath Shinde.

 

In a statement posted on its official Instagram handle, The Habitat expressed deep concern over the incident and said the venue would remain closed “till we figure out the best way to provide a platform for free expression without putting ourselves and our property in jeopardy.”

 

The Habitat, located in Mumbai’s Khar area, said in its post, “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 about how we get blamed and targeted every time almost like we are a proxy for the performer.”

 

 

Videos from the incident showed Shiv Sena workers storming into the studio, damaging property, and swinging chairs at cameras, lights, and sound equipment.  ALSO READ | Kunal Kamra's Shinde joke sparks Sena outrage; hotel vandalised, FIR filed

Studio seeks dialogue, support

 

The Habitat added that it had no role in Kamra’s content and had previously distanced itself from the comedian’s recent video. “We extend a sincere and heartfelt apology to all those hurt by this video,” the studio stated.

 

“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. We invite all artists, audience and stakeholders to discuss and share their views freely and request your guidance so that we also respect the performers' rights," it added.

 

The studio had earlier found itself in the spotlight during a controversial episode of ‘India’s Got Latent,' featuring YouTuber Ranveer Allahbadia, which also drew criticism.  ALSO READ | 'Derogatory statements can't be accepted': Fadnavis on Kunal Kamra row

 

Political reactions and fallout

 

The incident has ignited a political storm. Shiv Sena (UBT) MLA Aaditya Thackeray hit out at Eknath Shinde, saying, “Only an insecure coward would react to a song.”

 

He also raised concerns about law and order in Maharashtra under Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis.

 

Meanwhile, Shiv Sena leader Milind Deora defended Shinde, calling him a “self-made leader,” and slammed the backlash as elitist. “Mocking Shinde reeks of classist arrogance. India is rejecting entitled monarchs and their bootlicking ecosystem that pretends to champion meritocracy and democracy,” he said.