Eknath Shinde Slams Kunal Kamra, Calls His Jibe a 'Supari' Attack 2
Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde has compared comedian Kunal Kamra’s jibe at him to taking a “supari” (contract) to speak against someone and warned that action leads to reaction. Speaking at a BBC Marathi event, Shinde emphasized that while freedom of speech exists, it must have boundaries, and satire should be respectful.
Kunal Kamra stirred controversy with a parody performance of a song from Dil Toh Pagal Hai, labeling Shinde a “gaddar” (traitor) and mocking Maharashtra’s recent political turbulence, including the splits in the Shiv Sena and NCP.
In response, enraged Shiv Sena members vandalized the Habitat Comedy Club in Mumbai’s Khar area, where Kamra’s show was staged, and also damaged property at a nearby hotel.
Shinde defended the Shiv Sainiks’ reaction, saying, “The other person should also maintain limits; otherwise, action causes reaction.” He accused Kamra of having a pattern of targeting prominent figures, stating, “This same person has commented on the Supreme Court, the Prime Minister, Arnab Goswami, and industrialists. This is not free speech; it’s acting on someone’s behalf.”
Despite the backlash and damage to the venue, Kamra has refused to apologize, standing by his remarks and condemning the vandalism.
Mumbai Teacher Booked for Brutally Beating Class 5 Girl Over False Accusation 4
Police have registered an FIR against a woman teacher for allegedly thrashing an 11-year-old girl in a Mumbai school for merely turning around in class.
According to the complaint filed by the girl’s father, the incident took place on March 21 at a school in Chembur. The teacher reportedly hit the class 5 student multiple times with a cane on her wrist, back, and waist, causing injuries.
The teacher accused the student of talking in class, but the girl’s father claims his daughter was only looking behind, not speaking. Acting on the complaint, police have registered a case under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita and the Juvenile Justice Act. Authorities confirmed that an investigation into the matter is currently underway.
Fadnavis Blames 4 Seats for 2014 BJP-Sena Split; Sanjay Raut Says Break-Up Was Pre-Planned 6
Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis has revealed that the 2014 split between the BJP and the then-undivided Shiv Sena happened over a disagreement on just four assembly seats. Speaking at a felicitation event for Sikkim Governor Om Prakash Mathur, who was the BJP’s Maharashtra in-charge in 2014, Fadnavis said the Shiv Sena insisted on contesting 151 seats, rejecting BJP’s offer of 147.
According to Fadnavis, the BJP was prepared to contest 127 seats in the 288-member assembly and even offered Sena the chief minister’s post if they agreed to 147 seats. However, the Sena remained firm on 151 seats, citing a declaration made by their ‘yuvaraj’ — a reference widely seen as pointing to Aaditya Thackeray, though Fadnavis did not name him directly.
Fadnavis also recalled discussions with senior BJP leader Amit Shah and Prime Minister Narendra Modi, indicating that despite their willingness to continue the alliance, circumstances led him to become the state’s chief minister.
However, Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Sanjay Raut responded sharply, claiming that the split was not about seat numbers but a pre-planned move by senior BJP leaders. He admitted that Fadnavis personally wanted to maintain the alliance but alleged that the BJP leadership deliberately engineered the break-up.
Despite the split in 2014, Shiv Sena joined hands with the BJP post-elections to form the government under Fadnavis. But in 2019, the two parties again fell out, this time over sharing the chief minister’s post. The Shiv Sena eventually split in 2022 after Eknath Shinde led a rebellion against Uddhav Thackeray’s leadership, further deepening the rift between the once-allied parties.
"Husband Has No Ownership Over Wife's Privacy": Allahabad HC Slams Man for Uploading Intimate Video 8
The Allahabad High Court has delivered a strong message, refusing to quash criminal proceedings against a man accused of uploading an intimate video of himself and his wife on Facebook. The court asserted that marriage does not grant a husband ownership or control over his wife’s privacy and autonomy. Justice Vinod Diwakar, dismissing the plea to quash the charge sheet, remarked that the act of sharing intimate content without consent is a severe breach of marital sanctity and trust.
The judge stated that such actions violate the core confidentiality between husband and wife, undermining the foundation of their relationship. “A wife is not an extension of her husband but an individual with her own rights, desires, and agency. Respecting her bodily autonomy and privacy is not just a legal obligation but a moral imperative,” the court said.
The case was filed by the man’s wife in Mirzapur district under Section 67 of the IT Act, alleging that her husband, Pradumn Yadav, recorded an intimate act without her consent and uploaded the video on Facebook before sharing it with her cousin and others in their village.
The defense argued that the complainant was his legally wedded wife and hinted at a possible compromise. However, the Additional Government Advocate rejected this defense, stating that being married does not entitle a husband to record and distribute such content. The court’s firm stance reinforces the message that marital relationships are built on mutual respect and trust, and violations of privacy, even within marriage, are punishable by law.
Recklessness in Garb of Freedom of Speech Won't Be Tolerated: Fadnavis on Kamra Row 10
Amid a row over stand-up comedian Kunal Kamra’s alleged defamatory remarks against Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde, CM Devendra Fadnavis on Monday said the “reckless” misuse of the freedom of speech will not be tolerated.
Speaking in the state assembly after the issue figured in the House, Fadnavis said Kamra has a history of making low-level comments on the prime minister, Chief Justice of India and the judiciary.
“His modus operandi is to create a controversy for publicity,” the chief minister said.
During his performance at the Habitat Studio at the Unicontinental hotel in Mumbai’s Khar area, Kamra had referred to Shinde as a “traitor” and went on to sing a parody on him.
Kamra used a modified version of a Hindi song from the movie ‘Dil Toh Pagal Hai’ to describe the 2022 rebellion of Shinde against his then boss Uddhav Thackeray.
Fadnavis said Kamra has now targeted Deputy CM and Shiv Sena leader Shinde, and the people of Maharashtra showed through the 2024 assembly polls mandate that who is “khuddar” (self-respecting) and who is “gaddar” (traitor).
“Is Kamra bigger than the people of Maharashtra?” he asked.
The people of Maharashtra have shown that Shinde is the true inheritor of Shiv Sena founder Bal Thackeray’s ideology.
“Kamra’s aim was to belittle Shinde in the eyes of the people. The opposition is supporting such a talk and one wonders whether Kamra is hand-in-glove with the opposition. He has posted a picture of himself with a red copy of the Constitution book which Rahul Gandhi carries,” Fadnavis said.
“When you attack the freedom of others, your freedom is restricted. If you insult people on constitutional posts to create disturbances by taking supari (contract) to get publicity, it will not be tolerated. No one will object to stand-up comedy and satire. If we behave recklessly in the garb of freedom of speech and expression, it will not be tolerated. Strict action will be taken as per law,” the CM said.
Nagpur Violence: Civic Authorities Demolish Illegal Portions of Fahim Khan House 12
Civic authorities demolish the illegal portions of the house of Fahim Khan, a key accused in the Nagpur violence.
Khan, a leader of the Minority Democratic Party (MDP), has been booked for sedition. He is among the over 100 persons arrested for the violence in Maharashtra’s Nagpur city on March 17.
A few days back, the Nagpur Municipal Corporation issued a notice to Khan, citing various lapses and lack of the building plan approval (for his house), sources said.
At around 10.30 am on Monday, three JCB machines of the Nagpur Municipal Corporation started demolishing the house, located at Sanjay Bagh Colony in Yashodhara Nagar area here, amid heavy security and drone surveillance in the entire area.
The area where the demolition work was being done was completely barricaded.
The house, registered in the name of Khan’s mother, was located on a plot of Nagpur Improvement Trust (Lease) and the lease ended in 2020, a civic source said.
There was no sanction plan for the building and the entire construction was unauthorised, the source said, adding the action was being taken under the MRTP Act.
A notice of demolition was given 24 hours prior to the action, the source said.
MDP city chief Khan is currently lodged in a jail.
The violence erupted in Nagpur on March 17, after rumours spread that a ‘chadar’ with religious inscriptions had been burnt during protests led by the Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) demanding the removal of Aurangzeb’s tomb in Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar.
The clashes resulted in widespread stone-pelting and arson across several parts of the city, leaving 33 police personnel, including three Deputy Commissioner of Police-rank officers, injured.
Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Saturday said the cost of properties damaged during the violence will be recovered from rioters and the failure to pay up would lead to the seizure and selling of their properties to recover losses.
“My government will not rest until those responsible for attacking the police are found and dealt with sternly,” said Fadnavis, who also heads the Home Ministry.
The CM said those who circulated inflammatory content would be charged as co-accused for their role in inciting violence.
Fadnavis also said it was too early to comment on a foreign or Bangladeshi link to the riots as the probe was underway.
“However, the Malegaon connection can be seen (in violence) as one of the accused belongs to a political party from Malegaon who could be seen helping rioters,” he said without taking the name of Fahim Khan, arrested for sedition.
Habitat Studio Where Kunal Kamra Performed Decides to Shut Down After Vandalism 14
Habitat Studio, a performance and event venue in Mumbai, on Monday announced that they were shutting down after Shiv Sena’s workers vandalised its premises over stand-up comedian Kunal Kamra’s alleged defamatory remarks against Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde during a show.
In an Instagram post on Monday, the studio said: “We are shocked, worried and extremely broken by the recent acts of vandalism targeting us.”
The studio said artists are “solely responsible for their views and creative choices” and they have never been involved in the content performed by them.
“But recent events have made us rethink about how we get blamed and targeted every time almost like we are the 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 free and request your guidance so that we also respect the performers rights,” the note further read.
In a previous post on Monday, Habitat Studio issued an apology to “all those hurt by this video”.
“The Habitat is not involved in the making of the recent video of Kunal Kamra and it does not endorse the views expressed by it,” it said.
Habitat Studio, where Kamra’s show was held, is the same venue where the controversial ‘India’s Got Latent’ show was filmed and led to major controversy last month.
A large number of Shiv Sena workers on Sunday night gathered outside Hotel Unicontinental, where the studio is located. They allegedly ransacked the studio and the hotel premises, the Mumbai Police said.
The police on Monday registered an FIR against Kamra, a comedian who has often courted controversies, for allegedly making defamatory remarks against Shinde during the show.
They also registered a case against nearly 40 Shiv Sena workers for allegedly vandalising the Khar-based venue, where Kamra’s show with the “gaddaar” (traitor) jibe at Shinde was shot, as well as the hotel in whose premises the studio is located.
Amid criticism from Shiv Sena leaders, there were some who defended the comic and called out the vandalism by the party workers.
Fadnavis Warns: Rioters in Nagpur to Pay for Damage or Lose Property 16
Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Saturday announced that the cost of property damage caused during the recent Nagpur violence will be recovered from those responsible. Failure to pay will result in the seizure and auctioning of their properties to compensate for losses. Addressing a press conference, Fadnavis stated that 104 rioters have been identified through video footage and CCTV analysis, with legal action already taken against 92 individuals, including 12 minors.
He assured that Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s upcoming visit to Nagpur will not be affected by the unrest that occurred in central parts of the city on Monday. Fadnavis, who also heads the Home Ministry, issued a stern warning: “Strict action will be taken against those who attacked police personnel. My government will not rest until these elements are identified and punished.”
When asked about potential foreign involvement, he said it was premature to comment on any Bangladeshi or external hand in the riots, as investigations are ongoing. Clarifying media reports, Fadnavis said female police constables were pelted with stones, but there were no incidents of molestation. He also dismissed any political angle to the violence, while admitting that although it wasn’t an intelligence failure, intelligence gathering “could have been better.”
The CM’s firm stance signals that Maharashtra will not tolerate lawlessness, and the consequences for those involved in the Nagpur violence will be severe and unavoidable.
Stalin's Delimitation Meet Sparks Political Firestorm; BJP Labels It 'Corruption Cover-Up' 18
The first Joint Action Committee (JAC) meeting on delimitation, chaired by Tamil Nadu Chief Minister and DMK president M K Stalin, began in Chennai on Saturday, gathering 14 leaders from at least five states. The meeting aimed to discuss the perceived threat posed by the upcoming delimitation of Lok Sabha seats to states with higher literacy rates and stronger economic growth.
However, the BJP staged a black flag protest, fiercely criticizing Stalin for allegedly ignoring pressing state issues like the Cauvery and Mullaiperiyar water-sharing disputes, and instead focusing on what they called a “corruption-hiding meeting.” BJP leader and former Telangana Governor Tamilisai Soundararajan questioned the motive behind the meeting, calling it an attempt to distract from the DMK’s governance failures and corruption scandals.
Soundararajan accused Stalin of using fear-mongering tactics and claimed the gathering was merely a smokescreen to divert attention from unresolved state issues. “So far, there’s no official announcement of delimitation by the Centre, and Home Minister Amit Shah has already assured Tamil Nadu will not be impacted. So, on what grounds is this meeting being held?” she asked, calling the assembly a “corruption hiding meeting.”
Karnataka Deputy CM DK Shivakumar, on arrival, voiced concerns over the possibility of South India losing parliamentary seats, arguing that states like Karnataka have always followed population control measures and contributed significantly to national progress.
BJP national spokesperson C R Kesavan also attacked the DMK, accusing it of orchestrating a “delimitation drama” to divert public attention from corruption and policy failures. He called Rahul Gandhi and the Congress party’s position on the issue “opportunistic and pathetic.”
Leaders from Kerala, Telangana, Punjab, and others, including Kerala CM Pinarayi Vijayan, Telangana CM Revanth Reddy, Punjab CM Bhagwant Singh Mann, and IUML leader P M A Salam, attended the meeting. Stalin described the meet as a “historic day for Indian federalism” and a “landmark moment” where 58 parties came together, leaving aside political differences for a united cause.
Calling it the start of a national movement, Stalin emphasized Tamil Nadu’s commitment to democracy and justice, saying that collective unity would lead to “fair delimitation.” But with opposition parties questioning the very premise of the meeting and accusing leaders of hiding behind political drama to avoid addressing corruption, the controversy around the gathering only deepens.
A 12-hour statewide bandh called by pro-Kannada groups to protest the alleged assault of a state-run bus conductor in Belagavi for not knowing Marathi began on Saturday morning amid heightened security. Despite appeals from protesters, most shops across Karnataka remained open, with businesses and public transport operating largely unaffected.
In Bengaluru, activists gathered at Mysore Bank Circle, raising slogans and holding placards, while others staged demonstrations at the BMTC and KSRTC bus stands. Protesters urged bus drivers and conductors to join the bandh, leading to police taking several activists into preventive custody as agitation intensified.
In Mysuru, pro-Kannada activists blocked buses at the suburban stand and staged sit-in protests, with police detaining those attempting to halt KSRTC services. Similar demonstrations were reported in Davangere.
Belagavi, the centre of the ongoing linguistic dispute, witnessed limited movement of buses from Maharashtra, though KSRTC services continued. Recent incidents of alleged abuse against non-Marathi speakers in Belagavi have reignited tensions in the region, which frequently sees border-related conflicts. The accused in both assault and abuse cases have been taken into custody.
Senior officers are monitoring the situation across the state, with elaborate security arrangements including home guards and City Armed Reserve units deployed to prevent violence. Bengaluru Police Commissioner B Dayananda warned of strict legal action against anyone forcing participation in the bandh, confirming the deployment of 60 KSRP platoons, 1,200 home guards, and full civil and traffic police forces in the city.
Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar urged citizens to maintain peace, stating that while the government stands for the state’s interests, a bandh was unnecessary. Schools and colleges remained open, with no official holiday declared.
Despite partial support from autorickshaw, cab, and private driver unions, major sectors like hotels, malls, bars, and restaurants extended only moral support. Emergency services, petrol pumps, and metro operations remained unaffected, ensuring minimal disruption to daily life.
