Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Sanjay Raut on Monday demanded that Maharashtra chief minister Devendra Fadnavis recover damages from Shiv Sainiks who vandalised Habitat, the studio where stand-up comedian 's show was shot.
The Habitat, on Instagram, shut down their property, and claimed zero involvement in set. They stated, "We are shocked, worried and extremely broken by the recent acts of vandalism targeting us. Artists are solely responsible for their views and creative choices. We have never been involved in the content performed by any Artist, but the recent events have made us rethink about how we get blamed and targeted every time almost like we are a proxy for the performer.
"We are shutting down till we figure out the best way to provide a platform for free expression without putting ourselves and our property in jeopardy. We invite all artists, audience and stakeholders to discuss and share their views freely and request your guidance so that we also respect the performers rights."
Meanwhile, speaking to reporters, Raut alleged that there was 'gunda raj (hooliganism)' in the state capital and said Fadnavis was incapable of handling the home department.
The Mumbai Police have registered an FIR against Kamra for allegedly making defamatory remarks against during a show.
The police also registered a case against nearly 40 Shiv Sena workers for allegedly vandalising the Habitat Studio in Mumbai's Khar area, where Kamra's show with the 'gaddar (traitor)' jibe at Shinde was filmed (though Kamra did not mention anyone by name), and a hotel where the studio is located.
The activist-comedian also taunted Shinde using a modified version of a song from the Hindi film Dil To Pagal Hai, eliciting laughter from the audience. Raut said Kamra hadn't named anyone in the satirical song, and questioned the need for the agitated reaction.
"The development is proof that Fadnavis is incapable of handling the home department," he alleged. Raut pointed out that the chief minister had declared that damages to property in the would be recovered from the rioters, and he should apply the same yardstick to Sunday night's vandalism.
The Sena (UBT) MP demanded the transfer of the Mumbai Police commissioner and action against officials who allowed the vandalism on Sunday night, when several Shiv Sena workers gathered outside Hotel Unicontinental where the Habitat Studio is located, and allegedly went on to ransack the studio and hotel premises, as per a purported video which went viral.
With PTI inputs
