Bengaluru, 24 March

In the ongoing controversy over stand-up comedian Kunal Kamra's recent comments, several political figures have come forward to defend Kamra's freedom of expression. Many, including Samajwadi Party (SP) MP Jaya Bachchan and Shiv Sena (Shiv Sena) MPs, have condemned the actions of those who vandalised the filming location of his show in Mumbai. Speaking to media persons in the Parliament premises, the actor-turned-politician questioned the limits imposed on freedom of speech in the country. 

"Where is freedom of speech? There is freedom of action only when there is a ruckus - beat up the opposition, rape women, murder them. What else? You (Eknath Shinde) left your real party and formed another party for power. Isn't that an insult of Balasaheb?" Bachchan said in a statement.

Meanwhile, Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Arvind Sawant came out in defence of Kunal Kamra and said that every comment made by the comedian in his comedy special, Naya Bharat, was correct. Sawant also demanded action against those who vandalised the Habitat Comedy Club in Khar, Mumbai, where Kamra's show was filmed.

Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Priyanka Chaturvedi also condemned the incident, calling it an example of growing intolerance in the country. She said, "They are threatening over a joke that did not even mention Eknath Shinde; only the intelligent can understand the hint." She stated Kamra's reaction to the joke only reflects the truth underlying his comments. 

The Shiv Sena youth wing's antics have sparked significant debate about the limits of protest and the right to freedom of expression. The incident at the Habitat Comedy Club in Mumbai escalated when a group from the youth wing of Shiv Sena (Eknath Shinde) entered the venue during another live show, forcing the show to be shut down and causing considerable damage to the set.

An FIR has been filed against both Kunal Kamra for his controversial remarks and the Shiv Sena youth wing for the vandalism. According to Sub Inspector Vijay of Khar Police Station, the group targeted the venue after the release of Kamra's stand-up special Naya Bharat.