Congress hit out at the BJP Government in Haryana and said comedians like Kiku Sharda should be awarded not arrested.
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.
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!" 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. Many Bollywood celebrities like Farah Khan, Kapil Sharma, Huma Qureshi and Vir Das earlier voiced their displeasure over the arrest.