Kunal Kamra row: Team Thackeray cites PM Modi's take on criticism, questions Shinde faction's vandalism

In light of PM Modi's recent remarks that criticism is the "soul of democracy," the Shiv Sena (UBT) mouthpiece "Saamana" questioned the extreme reaction of Maharashtra deputy chief minister Eknath Shinde's supporters to Kunal Kamra's stand-up act at a Mumbai venue. In an editorial, the newspaper claimed that Kamra had only addressed the rebellion led by Shinde that caused a split in the Shiv Sena in 2022 through a parody song.

They also referenced recent remarks made by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who referred to criticism as "the soul of democracy" in an interview with Lex Fridman.

"A pro-Modi Shinde gang stormed and destroyed a podcast studio before his views could even be heard, undermining the fundamental right to free speech. Kamra received death threats, which raised grave concerns about Maharashtra's law and order, according to the Marathi publication.