Indian comedian Kunal Kamra refused to apologize for calling Maharashtra Deputy CM Eknath Shinde a "traitor," despite a defamation investigation. Supporters of Shinde's Shiv Sena party attacked the venue, leading to its closure and demolition. Kamra defended his right to free speech, while Maharashtra's Chief Minister warned against "recklessness."

Indian comedian Kunal Kamra refused to apologize on Monday night for his criticism of a politician allied with Prime Minister Narendra Modi, despite the launch of a defamation investigation against him.

"I don't fear this mob, and I will not be hiding under my bed, waiting for this to die down," Kamra, known as one of India's leading comedians, declared in a post shared on his social media accounts.

The controversy began after Kamra performed a skit in which he labeled Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde a "traitor." Supporters of Shinde's Shiv Sena party reacted quickly, attacking the venue where Kamra had performed. However, the comedian was not present when they arrived.

Shinde belongs to a faction of the Shiv Sena party allied with Prime Minister Modi's Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). Together, they form a coalition government in Maharashtra, India's wealthiest state.

Kamra's use of the term "traitor" was a reference to Shinde's 2022 political defection, which led to a significant crisis in Maharashtra's government. The crisis culminated in the resignation of then-Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray and Shinde's eventual rise to the position.

While Shinde has yet to respond publicly to the incident, Maharashtra's Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis commented on the matter, saying, "We respect freedom of expression, but recklessness will not be tolerated."

In response to a complaint from the Shiv Sena party, Mumbai police opened an investigation into Kamra on charges of defamation and other offenses. The Habitat, a prominent performance venue in Mumbai where Kamra's show took place, announced its closure following the incident. Soon after, the city's civic authority demolished the venue, claiming it lacked the necessary permits.

Kamra, however, remained defiant. In his refusal to apologize, he emphasized his right to freedom of speech and expression, stating, "Your inability to take a joke at the expense of a powerful public figure does not change the nature of my right."

Earlier on Monday night, Kamra shared a photo of himself holding a copy of the Indian Constitution, captioned, "The only way forward…"

This is not Kamra's first experience with backlash for his satire. He has previously faced significant criticism for his satirical jabs at Modi and other senior politicians. Several other comedians in India have also been arrested or had their shows canceled for mocking politicians or referencing Hinduism satirically.

In a notable case in 2021, Muslim comedian Munawar Faruqui was arrested and imprisoned for over a month for allegedly making jokes about Hindu gods and goddesses.