The main Opposition Congress on Thursday criticised the arrest of television actor Kiku Sharda by the Haryana police over alleged mockery of Dera Sacha Sauda chief Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh, saying that
The main Opposition Congress on Thursday criticised the arrest of television actor Kiku Sharda by the Haryana police over alleged mockery of Dera Sacha Sauda chief Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh, saying that the entire incident portrayed India as a “tin pot republic”.
Actor Rishi Kapoor also joined in the criticism and dared anyone to arrest him if he plays this “rockstar” in a film.
Kiku, best known for his drag act as Palak in popular TV show Comedy Nights With Kapil, was arrested by the Haryana police on Wednesday on a complaint alleging that he hurt religious sentiments by mimicking the Dera Sacha Sauda sect head. He was granted bail but was again arrested on a second complaint.
Noting that the Haryana police should be “ashamed” of carrying out the arrest, Congress spokesman Abhishek Singhvi hit out at the BJP government in the state and said comedians like Kiku should be awarded not arrested.
“Arrest of #kikusharda a slap on judicial system, where killing people is ok, but mimicking will land u in jail! V look like tin pot republic or like sum imploding nbours (sic),” Mr Singhvi said in a series of tweets.
“As nation & as individuals v shd be proud to laugh at ourselves. Comedians like Palak shd be awarded not arrested. He makes us laugh so much.” Mr Singhvi said the Haryana police should be “ashamed” of carrying out the arrest.
“V as nation & as persons esp Haryana Police shd b ashamed that comedian Sharda (palak) was arrested! V r proud of vibrant demo & free speech!”
Rishi Kapoor joined the chorus of Bollywood support for the comedian and took to Twitter to express his solidarity. The actor said he would play Ram Rahim and see who arrests him. “I would like to play this rockstar in a film. Let me see who puts me behind bars Go Kiku Sharda!” he tweeted, along with a picture of the Dera chief.
Many Bollywood celebrities, like Farah Khan, Kapil Sharma, Huma Qureshi and Vir Das, had earlier voiced their displeasure over the arrest.
