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Indian comedian Kunal Kamra has issued a strong response to the vandalism of The Habitat, a Mumbai comedy venue, by Shiv Sena workers. The attack was allegedly prompted by a parody song in Kamra’s latest special, Naya Bharat, which seemingly alludes to Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde.

In a lengthy statement posted on social media, Kamra condemned the destruction of property and criticised the growing intolerance towards comedians. He said that an entertainment venue is merely a platform and should not be targeted because of the comedians it hosts or the jokes they crack.

He said, “Attacking a venue for a comedian’s words is as senseless as overturning a lorry carrying tomatoes because you didn’t like the butter chicken you were served.”

Taking direct aim at the political figures involved, Kamra insisted that freedom of speech was not limited to praising the powerful. He maintained that making fun of public figures and the political system was not a crime.

“Your inability to take a joke at the expense of a powerful public figure does not change the nature of my right. As far as I know, it is not against the law to poke fun at our leaders and the circus that is our political system,” wrote Kamra.

He also questioned whether the law would be applied equally to those who had resorted to violence, pointing out that unelected members of the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) arrived at The Habitat “without prior notice, and tore the place down with hammers.”

Kamra quipped that perhaps his next venue should be Mumbai’s Elphinstone Bridge or “any other structure in Mumbai that needs speedy demolition.”

The comedian also addressed the harassment he faces, including leaked personal information and incessant calls. He wryly assured that any unknown callers would be met with the very song they found offensive as his voicemail greeting.

“To those who are busy leaking my number or calling me incessantly: I am sure you’ve realised by now that all unknown calls go to my voicemail, where you will be subjected to the very song that you hate.”

And to the media reporting on the matter, he reminded, “Press freedom in India ranks at 159.”

Declaring that he would not apologise for his remarks, Kamra highlighted that the comments he made were also expressed by Maharashtra’s first Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar. “I don’t fear this mob and I will not be hiding under my bed, waiting for this to die down,” he concluded.

Kamra’s defiant stance has triggered sharp reactions from the Maharashtra government. Minister of State for Home Yogesh Kadam vowed that Kamra would face consequences for his behaviour, declaring that such comedy would not be tolerated in Maharashtra or India.

Minister Gulab Patil went a step further, warning that if Kamra did not apologise, Shiv Sena would deal with him in its own way, questioning where the comedian would hide.

Meanwhile, Mumbai’s Khar Police summoned Kamra to appear for questioning regarding the alleged defamatory remarks.

Kamra was booked under various sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) — which replaced the Indian Penal Code (IPC) last July — including statements conducing to public mischief, and defamation.

The MIDC Police Station lodged the FIR against Kamra as a Zero FIR based on a complaint lodged by Shiv Sena MLA Murji Patel. Later, they transferred the Zero FIR to the Khar Police Station.

The Habitat also announced its closure in the wake of the controversy.