In the midst of the controversy over his remarks, Shiv Sena (UBT) Chief Uddhav Thackeray on Monday defended stand-up comedian Kunal Kamra, claiming that Kamra's statements were accurate and representative of the general public's mood.
"Call a 'gaddar' a 'gaddar' is not an attack on anyone," Thackeray stated.
"I don't believe Kunal Kamra made any incorrect remarks. Referring to someone as a "gaddar" is not an insult. Speaking to the media, Thackeray stated, "Kunal Kamra has spoken the truth; he has articulated what people feel."
"He has spoken the truth, so there is no question of infringement of freedom of expression," Thackeray continued, defending Kunal Kamra's right to free speech. Listen to the entire song (from Kunal Kamra's performance) and encourage others to do the same.
In a scathing attack on the opposition Shiv Sena faction, he declared, "Eliminate Satyamev Jayate and make Gaddamev Jayate."
The UBT Sena Chief went on to say that the "Gaddar Sena" was responsible for the vandalism at the Habitat Comedy Club and that his Shiv Sena branch had nothing to do with it.
"This attack was carried out by the 'gaddar sena'; Shiv Sena (UBT) is not involved in it. "A Shiv Sainik can never be someone who has 'gaddari' in their blood," he declared.
Following Kamra's stand-up special, which allegedly made derogatory statements against Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde, Shiv Sena (Shinde faction) members vandalized a Mumbai venue earlier on Sunday night.
Kunal Kamra's comments against Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde were denounced by Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, who said that such actions cannot be excused as "freedom of speech."
Fadnavis emphasized that speaking "unchecked statements" is not the same as performing stand-up comedy. He also insisted that Kamra issue an apology.
"He can perform stand-up comedy, but he is not allowed to say everything he wants. The identity of the traitor has been determined by the Maharashtra people. Kunal Kamra ought to issue an apology. We won't put up with this," he declared.
Kamra's activities were met with criticism from Fadnavis, who said, "There is the right to comedy, but if it is being done to defame our Deputy CM Eknath Shinde purposely, it is not right."
The Shiv Sena MLA Murji Patel has filed a formal complaint against stand-up comedian Kunal Kamra for his remarks. Kamra has been given two days to apologize, failing which he would not be permitted to travel freely in Mumbai.
Rahool Kanal, the general secretary of the Shinde Faction's Shiv Sena Yuva Sena, and 19 other people have also been charged with causing damage to the Mumbai-based stand-up comedy The Habitat. In this case, eleven persons have been taken into custody.
