Shinde reacts to vandalism over Kunal Kamra Joke; quotes Newton
What's the story
Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde has reacted to the vandalism at Mumbai's Habitat studio by Shiv Sena workers over a joke by Kunal Kamra directed at him.
Quoting Sir Isaac Newton's third law of motion, he said, "Every action has a reaction."
The feud started after Kamra uploaded a 45-minute video of his performance titled "Naya Bharat."
In it, he had indirectly called Shinde a "traitor" while commenting on the politics in Maharashtra.
Criticism
Kamra's parody criticized by Shinde
In his first response since the controversy, Shinde questioned the comedian's motives.
"Whose supari does he take to do such things?" he said in an interview with BBC Marathi.
The deputy CM also pointed out that Kamra had clashed with journalists in the past and had a flying ban imposed on him.
He accused the comedian of disrupting public order and affecting law enforcement.
Comments
Do not support vandalism: Shinde
"Freedom is important in a democracy, but to say wrong things about someone at someone's behest... forget about me, what has he said about Modi ji? about Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman? about Home Minister Amit Shah? about industrialists?" he asked.
When questioned about the vandalism by his party workers over the joke, he said, "I do not support it (vandalism). But it happened due to party workers' sentiments. Every action has a reaction, but I don't support it."
Allegations
Shinde alleges conspiracy behind Kamra's remarks
Shinde hinted there might be an opposition conspiracy behind Kamra's comments. "Speaking about someone, insulting them, this is a conspiracy," he said.
Opposition, on the other hand, has condemned vandalism by Sena workers and extended support to Kamra.
Uddhav Thackeray, Shinde's former boss, said Kamra has spoken the truth.
"It was not satire. Those who steal are 'gaddar.' There is no 'freedom of expression' when it comes to traitors," he defended the comedian.
Response
Kamra's response and studio's statement
Kamra, on his part, has refused to apologize but said he is open to the law taking its course.
He asked if the law would be the same for those who vandalized the studio and officials who razed parts of it for building code violations.
The Mumbai police have since summoned the comedian.
The summons was served to Kamra's father at their Mumbai home and has also been sent to him on WhatsApp, as he is out of the city.