‘I Don’t Think Kunal Kamra Said Anything Wrong’: Uddhav Thackeray Defends Comedian's ‘Gaddar’ Remark On Eknath Shinde

A fresh political controversy has erupted after comedian Kunal Kamra performed a satirical song criticizing Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde, calling him a "gaddar" (traitor). The remark triggered outrage among Shiv Sena supporters, leading to the vandalism of the Habitat Comedy Club in Khar.

Reacting to the incident, Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray defended Kamra and condemned the attack. Addressing the media in a press conference, Thackeray stated, "I don’t think Kunal Kamra said anything wrong. Calling a ‘gaddar’ a ‘gaddar’ is not an attack on anyone… Listen to the full song from Kunal Kamra’s show and make others hear it too. Shiv Sena has nothing to do with this attack; this was done by ‘Gaddar Sena’ (traitor faction). Those who have ‘gaddari’ in their blood can never be true Shiv Sainiks."

The controversy began when Kamra’s stand-up show, "Naya Bharat," featured a song that referred to Eknath Shinde as a traitor, leading to protests from his faction. Thackeray firmly stood by Kamra, even taking a jab at those opposing the comedian’s remarks. He remarked, "If it’s wrong to call a traitor a traitor, then remove ‘Satyamev Jayate’ and replace it with ‘Gaddar Jayate’," implying that Kamra had merely spoken the truth.

#WATCH | On Kunal Kamra row and vandalism by Shiv Sena (Shinde faction) workers, Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray says, "I don't think Kunal Kamra said anything wrong. Calling 'gaddar', a 'gaddar' is not an attack on anyone...Hear the full song (from Kunal Kamra's show) and… pic.twitter.com/MKZAs8N90T

— ANI (@ANI) March 24, 2025

Regarding the vandalism at the Khar comedy club, Thackeray denied any involvement from his faction, asserting that it was the work of the "Gaddar Sena," referring to the Shinde-led faction. The incident has further deepened the ongoing rift between the two rival Shiv Sena groups, escalating political tensions in Maharashtra.