Congress hit out at the BJP Government in Haryana and said comedians like Kiku Sharda should be awarded not arrested.
New Delhi:
The arrest of comedian Kiku Sharda by Haryana police over mocking Dera Sacha Sauda chief Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh drew more derision today with Congress saying it made India look like a "tin pot republic" and actor Rishi Kapoor daring anyone to jail him if he plays this "rockstar" in a film.
Mr Sharda, best known for his drag act as Palak in popular TV show "Comedy Nights With Kapil", was arrested by Haryana police yesterday on a complaint alleging 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 Haryana Police should be "ashamed" of carrying out the arrest, Congress spokesperson Abhishek Singhvi hit out at the BJP government in the state and said comedians like Mr Sharda should be awarded not arrested.
"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!" he said on Twitter.
Rishi Kapoor, a veteran actor, 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.
Mr Sharda, best known for his drag act as Palak in popular TV show "Comedy Nights With Kapil", was arrested by Haryana police yesterday on a complaint alleging 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 Haryana Police should be "ashamed" of carrying out the arrest, Congress spokesperson Abhishek Singhvi hit out at the BJP government in the state and said comedians like Mr Sharda 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 !
— Abhishek Singhvi (@DrAMSinghvi) January 13, 2016As 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
— Abhishek Singhvi (@DrAMSinghvi) January 14, 2016"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!" he said on Twitter.
Rishi Kapoor, a veteran actor, 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.
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, 2016Track Latest News Live on NDTV.com and get news updates from India and around the world
