The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) has resumed its demolition drive at Mumbai’s Habitat Studio, just a day after stand-up comedian Kunal Kamra made controversial remarks about Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde during a performance at the venue. The civic body cited unauthorized construction as the reason for the action, but the timing of the move has sparked widespread political and public debate.
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Why Did BMC Demolish Habitat Studio?
Within 24 hours of Kamra’s video surfacing on social media—where he allegedly took a dig at Shinde—Shiv Sena workers vandalized the studio, leading to a swift response from the civic body. On Monday afternoon, BMC officials arrived at Unicontinental, The Habitat, in Khar, and razed an illegal section of the venue.
According to reports, Maharashtra state transport minister Pratap Sarnaik had reached out to BMC commissioner Bhushan Gagrani, urging him to demolish the structure, labeling it “illegal.” Following this, BMC’s assistant commissioner of H Ward, Vinayak Vispute, was directed to inspect the premises. The inspection revealed that the studio had erected an unauthorized shed on the terrace and was illegally using the basement as a studio instead of storage space.
“We told them to remove the shed, which is illegal. Since they failed to do so, our team proceeded with the demolition,” Vispute said, adding that temporary structures do not require prior notices before demolition.
Is This Retaliation for Kunal Kamra’s Comments?
The timing of the BMC’s crackdown has raised eyebrows, with many questioning whether the civic body’s actions were politically motivated. Critics argue that the move appears to be retaliation for Kamra’s satirical remarks rather than a routine civic enforcement drive.
At 10:57 AM (IST) on March 24, 2025, the controversy escalated as Shiv Sena leaders filed a police complaint against Kamra. Sena leader Murji Patel lodged an FIR at Mumbai’s MIDC Police Station, accusing the comedian of running a “paid campaign” to tarnish Eknath Shinde’s image.
Another Sena leader, Rahul Kanal, took the matter further by filing a police complaint against Kamra, Aaditya Thackeray, Sanjay Raut, and Congress MP Rahul Gandhi at the Khar police station. Minister Pratap Sarnaik also announced plans to file a complaint.
Sena Leaders Defend Shinde, Slam Kamra
Sena leader Shaina NC lashed out at Kamra, tweeting:
“Did not know that you can RENT a comedian and use him as your PUPPET?! Or as a mere diversionary tactic? Kamra’s comment—‘Meri nazar se tum dekho to gaddar nazar wo aaye’—is not comedy, it’s vulgarity. Obviously, he does not know what it takes for an auto rickshaw driver to work his way with public support to emerge as CM and DCM of Maharashtra, with the popularity of Eknath Shinde. The cadre of Shiv Sena demands legal action against Kunal Kamra.”
Meanwhile, Aaditya Thackeray hit back on X (formerly Twitter), stating:
“Mindhe’s coward gang breaks the comedy show stage where comedian Kunal Kamra put out a song on Eknath Mindhe which was 100% true. Only an insecure coward would react to a song by someone. Btw law and order in the state? Another attempt to undermine the CM and Home Minister by Eknath Mindhe.”
Shinde Sena MP Milind Deora countered Thackeray, writing:
“Remember @KanganaTeam, Arnab Goswami, @thakkar_sameet? The list of those silenced for questioning you is long. Hypocrisy has a new address.”
FIR Against Kamra and 35 Shiv Sena Workers for Vandalism
At 10:55 AM (IST), reports confirmed that an FIR had been filed against Kunal Kamra over his “traitor” jibe at Shinde. Simultaneously, over 35 Shiv Sena workers were booked for vandalizing the Mumbai hotel where Kamra’s show was recorded.
Shiv Sena workers and media personnel were seen standing outside Khar Police Station, where the detained Sena workers were held. Photos from inside Continental Hotel showed Shiv Sena activists storming the venue at midnight on Sunday.
The complaint filed by Murji Patel read:
“Kunal Kamra, during a stand-up comedy show at Continental Hotel, Khar, defamed our leader Eknath Shinde-ji by making derogatory statements about his moral conduct. He also created hatred between the two political parties by tarnishing the sentiments of our party and our rival political parties towards each other.”
A viral video showed Kamra saying:
“Shiv Sena first came out of the BJP, then Shiv Sena came out of Shiv Sena. NCP came out of NCP, now they have given nine buttons to one voter… Everyone got confused.”
Later, he allegedly parodied a song from Dil Toh Pagal Hai, alluding to Shinde’s 2022 defection:
“Thane ki rickshaw, chehre pe daadi, aankho me chashma haaye.. Ek jhalak dikhlaye kabhi Guwahati me chup jaaye…”
Opposition Leaders Defend Kamra
At 10:47 AM (IST), NCP-SP MLA Rohit Pawar urged political leaders to take satirical comments lightly. Drawing parallels with a similar 2003 incident involving Chhagan Bhujbal, he stated:
“Leaders should take these satirical comments lightly. It does not make them short. Eknath Shinde is a tall leader. Satire won’t reduce his political stature.”
Mumbai Police Swings Into Action
At 10:42 AM (IST), Mumbai police confirmed that they had lodged an FIR against Kamra over his “gaddar” jibe. Sena leader Murji Patel warned:
“We have demanded quick action against him. If he does not apologize within two days, Shiv Sainiks will not let him move freely in Mumbai. If he is seen anywhere in public, we will paint his face black.”
Minister of State for Home Yogesh Kadam assured that the police were working to trace Kamra’s location.
At 10:34 AM (IST), Mumbai police confirmed that they had registered a Zero FIR against Kamra under multiple sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), including:
- 353(1)(b) & 353(2) – Statements conducing to public mischief
- 356(2) – Defamation
The FIR will be transferred to Khar police for further action.
Shiv Sena Workers Detained
At 10:33 AM (IST), Mumbai police detained 20 Shiv Sena activists for vandalizing Habitat Studio. The FIR against them stated:
“The activists were shouting slogans like ‘Shiv Sena Zindabad.’ They went there and stopped the show. They also evicted citizens, pushed, and abused employees working there. A large crowd gathered as local leader Rahul Kanal led the mob.”
Habitat Studio Announces Temporary Shutdown
In response to the attack and legal action, Habitat Studio has announced a temporary shutdown. Their Instagram post read:
“We are shocked, worried, and extremely broken by the recent acts of vandalism targeting us. Artists are solely responsible for their content, yet we are repeatedly blamed and attacked as a proxy for the performer. Recent events have forced us to rethink how we provide a platform for free expression without putting ourselves in jeopardy. We are shutting down temporarily until we find a way forward.”
