Rahool Kanal on Habitat Studio Vandalism: “We Know Kamra, But This Was Too Much”

Shiv Sena Yuva Sena (Eknath Shinde faction) leader Rahool Kanal has defended the vandalism at Mumbai’s Habitat Studio, following comedian Kunal Kamra’s controversial remarks about Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde. Kanal claimed the attack was not premeditated but happened “in the heat of the moment.”

In an interview with The Indian Express, Kanal claimed that their fury increased once Habitat Studio owner Balraj “misbehaved” with them when they went to him about Kamra’s show.

Arrests and Bail for Sena Workers

12 Shiv Sena workers, including Kanal, were arrested by the Mumbai Police for the vandalism of the studio where Kamra’s show was being taped and the hotel where it was hosted. All of them, however, were let out on bail a few hours after their arrests.

Kanal, who is a well-known personality in Bollywood and political circles, asserted that they never meant to assault the venue but were provoked by the reaction of Balraj. “We had no intention to vandalise. We went there just to talk, but the response we got triggered it, and it happened in the heat of the moment,” Kanal explained.

Kanal Files Complaint Against Kunal Kamra

One day after the alleged assault, Kanal lodged a new complaint with Khar police against Kunal Kamra. He requested an inquiry into the money transactions made on Kamra’s YouTube account, claiming they “seem irregular and may suggest the movement of funds for unlawful purposes.”

Who is Rahool Kanal?

Kanal was Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Aaditya Thackeray’s close associate and a member of the party’s youth organization, Yuva Sena.

• In July 2023, he switched sides to join the Shiv Sena faction led by Eknath Shinde.
• A prominent figure in Bandra, Kanal is a restaurateur known for his links to Bollywood.
• He owns Bandra’s Bhaijaanz restaurant, named after Bollywood star Salman Khan.
• He runs the NGO ‘I Love Mumbai’ and was a trustee of the Shri Saibaba Sansthan Trust.
• His political career was initiated with the original Shiv Sena’s youth organization, Yuva Sena, where he served for more than a decade.

Kunal Kamra’s So-Called “Gaddar” Joke

Controversy brewed after Kunal Kamra’s show at the Habitat Comedy Club at the Unicontinental Hotel, Khar. In his act, Kamra reportedly made a joke about Eknath Shinde calling him a “gaddar” (traitor) and sang a ridiculous song about him.

After the performance, Shiv Sena workers who were accompanied by Kanal protested against the owner of the studio, asking questions. Kanal asserted, “I know all these artistes, including Kamra and Munnawar (Faruqui). I am someone who always supports artists. But when we saw the video, we initially contacted Balraj and enquired about the show. However, he did not talk to us properly and misbehaved.”

Kanal stated that Balraj brushed off their concerns, assuring him that he just leased out the venue and didn’t dictate what content went on there. “He was highly arrogant and obnoxious,” Kanal claimed.

Political and Legal Ramifications

The case of vandalism has evoked political tensions, with opposition leaders accusing Shiv Sena of being rash. Kamra, whose politics has always had a satirical bent, hasn’t reacted to Kanal’s claims or vandalism in the open.

With legal action pending and both sides refusing to budge, the controversy continues to agitate political and artistic circles in Maharashtra.