Shinde Sena’s Rahool Kanal, 19 Others Booked for Vandalising Mumbai Comedy Club

Attack follows Kunal Kamra’s jibe at Eknath Shinde; Sena MP calls him a ‘hired comedian’

Mumbai’s comedy scene turned into a battleground after a stand-up performance by Kunal Kamra sparked outrage among Shiv Sena (Shinde faction) supporters. The comedian’s remarks about Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde—where he referred to him as a ‘traitor’ while referencing the song Dil To Pagal Hai—went viral, triggering a backlash.

Following the uproar, Shiv Sena (Shinde) Yuva Sena General Secretary Rahool Kanal and several party workers allegedly vandalised The Habitat Comedy Club in Khar West, located inside The Unicontinental Mumbai hotel. An FIR has been registered against Kanal and 19 others under multiple sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) and the Maharashtra Police Act. The charges include rioting, unlawful assembly, criminal intimidation, trespassing, and obstructing government work, with police invoking 13 legal provisions against the accused.

Authorities stated that the case involves 30 to 40 party workers, including Kanal and Kunal Sarmalkar. Meanwhile, Shiv Sena MP Naresh Mhaske dismissed Kamra as a "hired comedian" allegedly paid to attack their leader. "Kunal Kamra is just a mouthpiece for money. He cannot freely move anywhere in India—Shiv Sainiks will ensure he faces consequences," Mhaske declared.

Mhaske also took a swipe at the rival Shiv Sena (UBT) faction and its leader Sanjay Raut, claiming they had resorted to using comedians for political attacks due to a lack of party members. "Sena (UBT) has no workers left, so they’re hiring people like Kamra to do their bidding," he alleged.

In the wake of the vandalism, Shiv Sena (Shinde) workers gathered at Khar Police Station to file a complaint against Kamra, demanding his arrest. The party has also threatened legal action if the comedian does not issue a public apology.