Mumbai, March 24: Shiv Sena MP, Sanjay Raut, on Monday strongly criticised the vandalism at the Mumbai hotel where the shoot of comedian Kunal Kamra’s stand-up comedy show had taken place, saying that Sunday’s vandalism is a sign that Maharashtra has a weak Home Minister.

Sanjay Raut demanded action against those involved in the vandalism.

Raut appealed to Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, who also holds the home portfolio, to leave charge of the department.

“Is Fadnavis not up to the task of handling the Home Ministry, or is he not being allowed to work? Fadnavis says that he will not spare the rioters in Nagpur, but damage has also been done by the rioters in Khar last night. Will he spare them? Will he recover the damage done by the rioters or not?” he asked.

He further stated that the Mumbai Police Commissioner should be transferred immediately.

“Maharashtra has now become a ‘goonda raj’. Some people have planned to turn entire Maharashtra into Beed,” he added.

Beed is hogging national headlines for the brutal murder of sarpanch Santosh Deshmukh and also for lapses in law and order.

“What is happening in Parbhani? What happened in Nagpur? Now, in front of your eyes, a podcaster’s studio has been destroyed in the state capital. What were the cops doing?” he asked.

Sanjay Raut said he wanted to know whether censorship and Emergency had been imposed in Maharashtra.

“If an Emergency has been imposed, tell us clearly, yes, we have imposed an Emergency. Artists, writers and literary figures, comedians will not be allowed to criticise, will not be allowed to write or do satire. The government should say this clearly,” he said.

“Action should also be taken against the Assistant Commissioner of Police and senior police officers of the police station under whose jurisdiction this vandalism took place. Maharashtra is being vilified in the country in terms of law and order.

“Also take action against those who give threats. People in politics should tolerate sarcastic criticism. If Fadnavis wants to maintain his reputation, he should take action against the rioters,” Sanjay Raut said.

Mumbai, March 24: The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) carried out demolition drive at The Habitat Studio, located at the Unicontinental Hotel in Khar, on Monday, citing violations of civic rules.

The incident assumes significance because it is the same venue that hosted stand-up comedian Kunal Kamra’s show, during which he made controversial remarks against Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde.

BMC officials, armed with hammers arrived at the Habitat Studio, this noon, to execute the demolition. While details of the violations are yet to be disclosed, sources indicate that the studio was allegedly operating in an encroached area between two hotels.

This action follows the vandalism of The Habitat Studio by Shiv Sena workers after Kamra mocked Shinde, calling him a “traitor.” So far, 12 people, including Shiv Sena leader Rrahul Kanal, have been taken into judicial custody for the attack.

Since BMC elections are due, the civic body is currently helmed by an IAS officer, with the ruling coalition exerting influence over its operations.

In response to the recent events, The Habitat Studio announced its decision to shut down indefinitely. The management clarified that they are not responsible for the views expressed by artists performing at their venue.

“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 as if we are a proxy for the performer,” the studio’s statement read.

The management further stated that they would remain closed until they figure out a way to provide a platform for free expression without jeopardising their safety.

Additionally, The Habitat Studio distanced itself from Kamra’s latest video, stating that it was not involved in its production and does not endorse the views expressed in it. The studio also issued a public apology to those who were offended by the comedian’s remarks.

The controversy began when Kamra uploaded a video on his official YouTube channel featuring a performance in which he used a modified version of a song from the Bollywood film ‘Dil To Pagal Hai’, replacing the lyrics to take a dig at Eknath Shinde.

The segment in which Kamra sang, “Meri nazar se tum dekho to gaddar nazar wo aaye. Haaye” was met with cheers from the audience but left the ruling Shiv Sena furious.

Mumbai: Mumbai stand-up comedian Kunal Kamran’s remarks against Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde have raised the temperature across Maharashtra. There was also a tussle between the opposition and the ruling party in the Maharashtra Assembly over this remark, which led to an uproar in the House.

During the uproar, Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis strongly condemned Kunal Kamran’s remarks and said that the people of Maharashtra have told in 2024 who is the traitor. Who has the legacy of Balasaheb Thackeray? Eknath Shinde is the real successor, that’s why he is the Shiv Sena chief. He said that if Kunal Kamra writes poems and songs against us, we will welcome him with applause, but if someone insults us with a betel nut, action will be taken against him. The opposition has opposed this.

On freedom of expression, Fadnavis said that everyone has the right to freedom of expression. He said that if we look at Kamra’s history and past, we will find that he has made very low level comments and remarks on the Prime Minister and the Chief Justice. In such a situation, the trust in the judiciary will be shaken. His only aim is to gain fame by creating controversy. The way Kamra has targeted Eknath Shinde is a very low level comedy. Kamra should know who is the real hero and who is the traitor in 2024. Is it above the people of Maharashtra? The people of Maharashtra have shown who is the inheritor of Balasaheb’s ideas. We may have differences, but respect for the leaders of the state is important.

If someone says low level things against the leaders, people stand in front of us and support him. Did they hand over Kamra? If you study the Constitution, you never make such comments or criticize us, but if someone takes such action after handing over, action will be taken against him.