Comedian Kunal Kamra Faces Backlash from Shiv Sainiks
A Wave of Jokes and Memes on Social Media
On March 23, members of the Shiv Sena’s Eknath Shinde faction, known as Shiv Sainiks, vandalized a comedy venue in Mumbai’s Khar. The Habitat had hosted a show where comedian Kunal Kamra made jokes about their leader. However, they couldn’t stop the jokes from spreading on social media.
Violence Incites a Flood of Cartoons and Memes
As the mob threatened Kamra for allegedly insulting Shinde, one of Maharashtra’s two deputy chief ministers, the violence led to a surge of cartoons and memes highlighting the tragic absurdity of the situation.
The Habitat Shuts Down and BMC Takes Action
The Habitat announced its shutdown on Monday, while the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation dispatched officials with hammers to demolish an allegedly unauthorized shed at the Unicontinental hotel’s entrance, which houses The Habitat.
Targeting Kamra for His Satirical Video
The mob aimed to target Kamra for his 45-minute video titled “Naya Bharat,” released on YouTube on Sunday. The satirical song about Shinde’s political flip-flops has garnered over four million views.
Police Cases and Solidarity from Fellow Comedians
Police cases have been registered against Kamra and the Shiv Sainiks. Fellow comedians and social media content creators expressed solidarity with Kamra by responding with wisecracks of their own, referencing Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s comments on the importance of free criticism in a democracy.
Mocking Videos and Memes About Comedy in India
News satirists made mocking videos about the challenges of making a living through comedy in India, while others had a field day with the developing story.
