Shiv Sena leader Rahool Kanal and 11 others were arrested by Mumbai Police for vandalizing a hotel following comedian Kunal Kamra’s remarks about Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde. The incident, which took place at a Mumbai hotel, stemmed from Kunal Kamra referring to Shinde as a “gaddar” (traitor) during his performance. However, a local court granted bail to all arrested individuals on the same day.
The controversy erupted after Kunal Kamra’s stand-up act at the Habitat Comedy Club in the Unicontinental Hotel in Khar, where he not only referred to Shinde as a traitor but also sang a parody mocking him. Infuriated by this, a group of Shiv Sena workers, led by Kanal, stormed the venue on Sunday, ransacking the premises in protest against Kunal Kamra’s remarks.
The Khar Police have identified 19 individuals involved in the incident and filed an FIR, while 15 to 20 others remain unidentified. Following an investigation, police arrested 12 individuals, including Rahool Kanal, all of whom are affiliated with the Shinde-led faction of Shiv Sena. The accused were presented before the Bandra magistrate’s court, which remanded them to 14-day judicial custody. However, they were granted bail upon furnishing a cash bond of ₹15,000 each.
Amid the legal proceedings, Rahool Kanal issued a strong warning to Kunal Kamra, stating, “Abhi tak toh ye trailer hai, picture abhi baaki hai” (This was just a trailer; the full picture is yet to come). He emphasized that his actions were driven by self-respect and not about taking the law into his hands. Kanal further asserted that Kunal Kamra would face consequences in Mumbai in true “Shiv Sena style.”
Rahool Kanal also accused Kunal Kamra of being part of a “paid conspiracy” and claimed that the Mumbai Police was capable of uncovering the truth. According to sub-inspector Vijay of Khar Police Station, members of the Shiv Sena’s youth wing entered the hotel during a live performance by stand-up comedian Rajat Sood, forcefully shut it down, and vandalized the stage setup.
Rahool Kanal, a former close aide of Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Aaditya Thackeray, was previously associated with Yuva Sena, the party’s youth wing. In July 2023, he switched allegiance to the Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena faction and has been actively participating in its political activities. Kanal, a well-known figure in Bandra, is a restaurateur with strong connections in Bollywood circles. He owns Bhaijaanz restaurant, named after Salman Khan, and runs an NGO called ‘I Love Mumbai.’ He was also a trustee of the Shri Saibaba Sansthan Trust.
His switch to the Shinde faction marked a significant shift in his political alignment, and his recent involvement in the Kunal Kamra controversy has further highlighted his aggressive stance in defending the party leadership. As the legal proceedings continue, the incident has reignited debates on political intolerance and freedom of speech in Maharashtra.
