NEW DELHI: Comedian Kunal Kamra‘s “traitor” jibe at Eknath Shinde has triggered a new round of face off between the rival factions of the Shiv Sena, who have been engaged in a legacy battle ever since the party was split into two.
While the Uddhav Thackeray faction of the Shiv Sena has backed Kamra to the hilt for “speaking 100% truth”, the Shinde faction issued threats to the comedian and resorted to violence to register their protest.
The Shinde faction alleged that Kamra’s attack was politically motivated and claimed that the comedian enjoyed a close association with Aditya Thackeray and the UBT Sena.
Shiv Sena leader Sanjay Nirupam demanded that Kunal Kamra withdraw his remarks and apologise or else face the wrath of the party workers.
Nirupam claimed that the Shiv Sainiks were agitated and looking out for Kamra to take “revenge” for insulting Shinde. “If Kamra has freedom of speech and can “misuse” the constitutional provision, the Shiv Sainiks have the freedom to react,” he said.
Angry workers of the Shinde faction vandalised the Habitat studio and Unicontinental hotel where it is located where Karma had recorded his video and issued an open ultimatum to the stand-up comedian.
“Abhi tak toh ye trailer hai, picture abhi baki hai. Whenever you are in Mumbai, you will get a good lesson in Shiv Sena style,” said Shiv Sena functionary Rahul Kanal who was arrested for the vandalism.
So, what is this “Shiv Sena style lesson”?
The Shiv Sena, founded by Balasaheb Thackeray in 1966, has always used agression as a badge of honour. We all remember the unprecedented protest by the Shiv Sainiks in 1991 when they dug up the pitch of Mumbai’s Wankhede Stadium to stop Pakistan from playing cricket against India. Under the late Balasaheb Thackeray, the Shiv Sena was at the centre of several such violent protests. Balasaheb’s death in 2012 triggered a fierce battle for his legacy which continues even today.
Earlier this fight for legacy was between late Balasaheb’s son Uddhav and his nephew Raj Thackeray, who many believed should have been the rightful political heir. However, with late Balasaheb backing Uddhav – the party and the cadre backed the son to the hilt.
Uddhav, who took the bold move of dumping the BJP to join hands with the Congress and the NCP, went on to become the chief minister of Maharashtra for two and a half years.
However, this move sowed the seeds of rebellion within the party which was channelised by Eknath Shinde who with the help of BJP’s Devendra Fadnavis split the Shiv Sena down the middle and joined hands with the BJP to form NDA government.
Since then the two factions of the Shiv Sena have been engaged in a constant battle for supremacy. The aggression on display is perhaps the part of Balasaheb’s legacy which both the factions claim.
