See this picture!I would like to play this rockstar in a film. Let me see who puts me behind bars? Go Kiku Sharda! pic.twitter.com/8Dfre237NY
— rishi kapoor (@chintskap) January 13, 2016
Mr Sharda, 40, appears in various roles on hit television show Comedy Nights With Kapil and was arrested yesterday on charges of hurting the religious sentiments Ram Rahim's followers. He mimicked the 48-year-old head of religious sect Dera Sacha Sauda in an episode of the show that aired last month. (Also Read: I Would Love to be Known as an Actor, Not a Comedian, Says Kiku Sharda)
After his arrest Mr Sharda apologized saying, "If I've hurt anyone's sentiments, I fold my hands and apologize to everyone." Ram Rahim then tweeted:
I was busy shooting OnlineGurukul; just got to know, devotees are hurt due to Kiku's action.If he has apologized, no complaint from my side
— GURMEET RAM RAHIM (@Gurmeetramrahim) January 13, 2016
Mr Sharda was released on bail, but was detained again.
On Twitter, actors and musicians strongly criticized Kiku Sharda's arrest:
WTH?!!!!!! This is insane!!! We have really lost the ability to laugh at ourselves.. Hope u ok @kikusharda https://t.co/tO23bDa4gn
— SOPHIE CHOUDRY (@Sophie_Choudry) January 13, 2016
Heard @kikusharda 's been remanded to judicial custody for mimicking RamRahim on TV! Absurd! RamRahim's 'films' are the real joke, anyway!
— VISHAL DADLANI (@VishalDadlani) January 13, 2016
These are the "Babas" of our times. Selling themselves as action heroes, while getting comedians put behind bars. This is "Ghor Kalyug"!
— रanviर_ डhoरeय_ (@RanvirShorey) January 13, 2016
Changing my bio to 'Godman'. I've 2.47 lakh followers.
Anyone making fun of me will now be arrested under section 295A of IPC.
#KikuSharda
— Shirish Kunder (@ShirishKunder) January 13, 2016
#KikuSharda got arrested for mimicking Gurmeet Ram Rahim. Are you serious police n court? Are you really serious? What a joke of the law!
— KRK (@kamaalrkhan) January 13, 2016
Totally shocked by Kiku Sharda's arrest! Let's fight for #ourfreedomofspeech.
— Parmeet Sethi (@parmeetsethi) January 13, 2016
Absolutely ridiculous! Hope @kikusharda comes out of this soon
— Kritika Kamra (@Kritika_Kamra) January 13, 2016
I know Kiku Sharda as a great human being apart from being a grt actor.He has apologised & hence shld be pardoned by #BabaRamRaheem.
— Ashoke Pandit (@ashokepandit) January 13, 2016