Lucknow/IBNS: Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Tuesday slammed comedian Kunal Kamra for his 'Gaddar' joke on Maharashtra Deputy CM Eknath Shinde and said freedom of expression cannot be used to mount "personal attacks".

In an exclusive interview with ANI, which will be aired on Wednesday morning, Adityanath said, "Unfortunately, some people think it is their birthright to use this freedom to tear the country apart and widen the division."

Meanwhile, Kunal Kamra, who refused to apologise for his remark, has allegedly received death threats from the supporters of Maharashtra Deputy CM-led Shiv Sena faction, media reports said.

Sources told NDTV that Kamra received at least 500 calls in which people threatened to kill him and cut him to pieces.

He has also released a new video song on his X handle, slamming the Maharashtra-based political outfit for vandalising the studio where his show was held.

On Monday, the comedian condemned the vandalism carried out at Habitat Studio in Mumbai by supporters of Eknath Shinde to protest against the former's remarks targeting the Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister.

In a post on X, Kamra said an entertainment venue is merely a platform and has no power or control over what he says or does, so attacking a venue is "senseless".

"Habitat (or any other venue) is not responsible for my comedy, nor does it have any power or control over what I say or do. Neither does any political party," he said.

"Attacking a venue for a comedian's words is as senseless as overturning a lorry carrying tomatoes, because you didn't like the butter chicken you were served," Kamra said.

"Your inability to take a joke at the expense of a powerful public figure does not change the nature of my right. As far as I know, it is not against the law to poke fun at our leaders and the circus that is our political system," the comedian said.

He said he is willing to cooperate with the police and courts for any lawful action taken against him.

However, he raised a question, "... Will the law be fairly and equally deployed against those who have decided that vandalism is the appropriate response to being offended by a joke? And against the unelected members of the BMC, who have arrived today at Habitat, without prior notice, and tore the place down with hammers?"

He also said he would not apologise for his remarks.

"I will not apologise. What I said is exactly what Mr. Ajit Pawar (1st Deputy CM) said about Mr. Eknath Shinde (2nd Deputy CM)," he said.

What did Kamra say?

Kamra, who is best known for his outspoken nature, targeted Shinde during a comedy show by parodying the 1997 song 'Bholi Si Surat' from 'Dil To Pagal Hai'.

In an indirect sweep, Kamra referred to Shinde as a 'gaddar (traitor), referring to his rebellion against Uddhav Thackeray in 2022, an episode that led to the state government's collapse and the party's split.

Mumbai's Habitat Studio, a popular platform for stand-up comedians in the city, on Monday announced its decision to shut down after Shiv Sena (Shinde) workers vandalised it.

Mumbai studio announces shutdown after Shinde-led Shiv Sena's vandalism

Announcing its decision, Habitat Studio wrote on Instagram: "We are shocked, worried and extremely broken by the recent acts of vandalism targeting us. Artists are solely responsible for their views and creative choices."

"We have never been involved in the content performed by any Artist, but the recent events have made us rethink about how we get blamed and targeted every time, almost like we are a proxy for the performer," the studio said.

The studio further said: "We are shutting down until we figure out the best way to provide a platform for free expression without putting ourselves and our property in jeopardy."