Kaithal (Hr) Jan 13, 2016 (PTI): Comedian Kiku Sharda, best known for his role in the show ‘Comedy Nights with Kapil’, was today arrested for allegedly hurting the sentiments of the followers of Sirsa-based Dera Sacha Sauda.
Kiku was sent to 14-day judicial custody after police produced him before the court of Nandita Kaushik, Chief Judicial Magistrate here.
He was arrested from Mumbai by the Haryana Police. Kiku was booked on December 31 under section 295 A of the Indian Penal Code (outraging religious feelings of any class by insulting its religion or religious belief).
A case was registered on the complaint of one Uday Singh, the follower of Dera Sacha Sauda, police said here.
While talking to media after his arrest, Kiku apologised and said that he was an artist and “presented the programme on the directions of the channel and programme producers”.
“I was given a dress, script to read and directed to act,” he said, adding that he had been booked in this case but no action was taken against others including the TV channel.
He said that his aim was only to entertain the public and not to hurt the religious feeling and sentiments of any person.
Dera followers had alleged that Sharda had hurt their religious sentiments in an episode of the TV show aired on December 27.
Dera followers had even protested against the actor, who shot to fame with comedy show “FIR”, seeking action against him.
The Haryana BJP goverment arrested Mr Sharda because the Dera chief is a important supporter of the BJP.
A real secular, progressive intellectual or journalist would see no difference between this incident and Kamalesha Tiwaari incident. Both incidents are a huge embarrassment to true rational, secular people. Don’t expect any honesty from beef club filled with religious bigots from minority groups.