Rahul Kanal Arrested on Vandalism Charges Following Kunal Kamra’s Comment About Eknath Shinde
After Kunal Kamra’s Remark on Eknath Shinde Sparks Controversy
Rahul Kanal and 11 Others Detained for Burglarizing Mumbai Hotel
Mumbai Police arrested Shiv Sena leader Rahul Kanal and 11 co-conspirators on Monday for ransacking the Uni Continental Hotel in Khar, where stand-up comedian Kunal Kamra had recently performed. The ransacking was done in the wake of Kamra’s controversial remarks against Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde.
Before his performance at the Habitat Comedy Club, Kamra called Shinde a “gaddar” (traitor) and performed a parody song against him. Shiv Sena workers, infuriated with the comments, led by Kanal, besieged the club and took over the building.
Police Action and Court Proceedings
The Khar Police filed an FIR against 19 identified individuals, with 15-20 more still unidentified. On Monday, 12 people, including Rahul Kanal, were arrested and produced before the Bandra magistrate’s court.
The court remanded the accused to 14-day judicial custody, but they were granted bail the same day. The magistrate released them on a cash bond of ₹15,000 each.
Political Fallout and Reactions
The attack has caused a political furore. Various opposition leaders criticized the violence as an assault on freedom of speech. Kamra, famous for his acerbic political satire, declared,
“I will not hide under my bed or stop speaking my mind.”
But Shiv Sena leaders come to Kamra’s defense, alleging Kamra’s comments were obnoxious and inciting.
