BJP MP and actor Kangana Ranaut has come out strongly in support of the ongoing civic action against comedian Kunal Kamra for his gaddar remark.  

Drawing a contrast with the 2020 demolition of her Mumbai office during the Uddhav Thackeray-led regime, the actor defended  the action against stand-up comedian and called it legal unlike her Mumbai office demolition in 2020.  

Addressing media outside Parliament, Ranaut backed the move following Kamra’s parody video on Shiv Sena chief and Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde.

Referring to Shinde’s humble beginnings, she said, “A man for whom respect is everything, you are insulting him in the name of comedy. Shindeji used to ply an auto-rickshaw once. Now he has risen so much.”

Kangana was referring to a recent incident where Shiv Sena workers vandalised a studio in Mumbai used by Kamra, after his parody video on Shinde went viral. The incident was followed by a demolition exercise at the Khar studio by civic officials who cited violations of building laws. The sequence of events has triggered debate over freedom of speech and alleged political targeting.

While the incident has sparked a debate on freedom of speech, Ranaut dismissed comparisons with her own case. He also asserted that the issue should not be seen through the same lens as her 2020 experience. “That was illegal, this is legal. You can be anyone, but insulting someone is wrong,” she said.

Ranaut also criticised Kamra’s content, accusing him of mocking religious texts and personal lives “for two minutes of fame”. Backing Deputy CM Devendra Fadnavis, she said people must be accountable for their words and actions.

In 2020, Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) demolished part of Ranaut’s Pali Hill office citing encroachment, following her row with Shiv Sena leaders over the handling of the Sushant Singh Rajput case. The Bombay High Court later halted the action and questioned the civic body’s intent. Ranaut was not a BJP member then.

Stand-up comedian Kunal Kamra has told Mumbai Police that he has no regrets about his controversial ‘gaddar’ (traitor) remark, which was reportedly aimed at Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde, and made it clear that he would apologise only if court directed him to do so. This comes after Maharashtra government’s mounting pressure and Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis’ apology demand.

Speaking to police from Tamil Nadu, Kamra also denied allegations of being paid by the opposition to target Shinde and offered full access to his financial records to prove his stand, sources revealed.

The controversy escalated further after Kamra’s Mumbai-based comedy studio, Habitat Studio, was vandalised by Shiv Sena (Shinde faction) workers on Sunday night, hours later the BMC demolished the studio citing an unspecified violation. Video footage showed a mob damaging property, throwing chairs, and burning Kamra’s photo outside a police station in Thane. All 11 accused were granted bail shortly after the incident.

Habitat Studio distances itself from Kamra’s remarks

The studio, which hosted the controversial episode of India’s Got Latent featuring Kamra, stated that it cannot be held responsible for comments made by performers. It announced a temporary shutdown, citing safety concerns and the need to evaluate how to promote free speech without endangering property and staff.

The term ‘gaddar’, used by Kamra, has been interpreted as a reference to Eknath Shinde, whose 2022 rebellion split the Shiv Sena and led to the fall of the Uddhav Thackeray-led government, paving the way for the BJP-Shinde alliance.

While BJP leaders filed multiple complaints against Kamra, Uddhav Thackeray’s faction hit back. Aaditya Thackeray called Shinde an “insecure coward,” and Priyanka Chaturvedi highlighted that Kamra never explicitly named anyone in his joke. Questioning the intolerance toward comedy and criticism, she said that their vandalism shows that there is truth in the joke.

Chaos erupted in Parliament on Monday during the ongoing Budget Session as both Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha were adjourned within minutes of commencing proceedings. The disruption was sparked by a heated row in the Rajya Sabha over the issue of minority reservations, with opposition and ruling party members clashing over remarks concerning potential constitutional changes.

As the Rajya Sabha began its session, BJP MPs raised loud objections, demanding Leader of Opposition Mallikarjun Kharge clarify the Congress party’s position on reservations for Muslims. The uproar was triggered by a recent remark allegedly made by a senior Congress leader regarding constitutional amendments to extend reservation benefits to the Muslim community.

BJP MP Kiren Rijiju highlighted the issue, stating, “A senior Congress leader holding a constitutional post has made a statement that they (Congress) are going to change the Constitution of India to provide reservation to the Muslim community. We cannot take this statement lightly.”

Backing Rijiju, Leader of the House JP Nadda reiterated that the Constitution clearly mentions that reservation cannot be granted on the basis of religion. The statement added fuel to the fire, further intensifying the protests.

As tensions rose, the Rajya Sabha was adjourned until 2 pm. Meanwhile, the Lok Sabha was adjourned till 12 noon due to similar disruptions.

Amid the uproar, important legislative business remains pending. In the Lok Sabha, Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman is scheduled to move The Finance Bill, 2025 for consideration and passing. In the Rajya Sabha, she will also seek the passage of The Banking Laws (Amendment) Bill, 2024.

The Parliament is expected to reconvene later in the day, with the government aiming to push forward with legislative agendas amid the political turbulence.