Modi Says Criticism is Democracy’s Soul, But Shinde Camp Crushes Free Speech – Shiv Sena (UBT) Hits Back

Mumbai: Shiv Sena (UBT) has launched a scathing attack on Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde and his supporters over their extreme reaction to comedian Kunal Kamra’s parody song. Citing Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s statement that “criticism is the soul of democracy,” the party questioned why the same principle did not apply when Shinde was criticized.

In an editorial published in its mouthpiece Saamana, Shiv Sena (UBT) mocked Shinde’s allies for storming a studio in Mumbai and vandalizing property, all because of a satirical song that highlighted the 2022 political rebellion in Maharashtra. The article referred to the incident as “old wine in a new bottle,” stating that Kamra merely restated facts already known to the public.

The editorial pointed out that Shinde’s defection, along with 40 MLAs, led to the fall of Uddhav Thackeray’s government and resulted in a lengthy legal battle. It reminded readers of the “khoke” (bribery) slogans that had become synonymous with the political upheaval, arguing that Kamra had simply turned public discourse into satire.

Despite this, Shinde’s loyalists reacted with aggression, making the leader a “laughing stock in Maharashtra,” the editorial claimed. Meanwhile, BJP and Deputy CM Devendra Fadnavis have chosen to remain silent, watching the chaos unfold from the sidelines.

“Where was Maharashtra’s Home Minister when a mob vandalized the studio? Why did the police stand by as spectators? Is Fadnavis too weak to control his own allies?” Saamana questioned, criticizing the lack of action against those who threatened Kamra.

Adding to the controversy, the editorial alleged that the Mumbai civic body’s swift arrival with bulldozers to demolish nearby structures was an act of political vendetta, conveniently justified under the guise of “illegal constructions.”

Calling out the hypocrisy of BJP leaders who condemn the Emergency but remain silent on attacks against free speech, the editorial asserted, “Fadnavis’ father fought against Indira Gandhi’s Emergency, but today, his son is asking a comedian to apologize for a joke. If this isn’t a betrayal of democracy, what is?”

With the controversy escalating, Saamana accused the ruling coalition of fostering an atmosphere of fear and intimidation in Mumbai. It concluded with a direct challenge to BJP and Shinde’s faction: “If criticism is truly the soul of democracy, why is Maharashtra being turned into a state where free speech is punished?”