The arrest of famous comedian Kiku Sharda, popularly known as the Palak of Comedy Nights With Kapil has sent social media users into frenzy with prominent voices asking to repeal ‘draconian’ Section 295A of Indian Penal Code.
‘Palak‘ was arrested for ‘hurting the religious sentiments of the followers of self-claimed godman Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh.’
He has now been sent to 14 days of judicial custody.
Social media users particularly on twitter have registered strong protests against the Section 295 A describing it draconian.
Here’s what the Section 295 A of Indian Penal Code says;
295A. Deliberate and malicious acts, intended to outrage religious feelings of any class by insulting its religion or religious beliefs.—Whoever, with deliberate and malicious intention of outraging the religious feelings of any class of 273 [citizens of India], 274 [by words, either spoken or written, or by signs or by visible representations or otherwise], insults or attempts to insult the religion or the religious beliefs of that class, shall be punished with imprisonment of either description for a term which may extend to 4[three years], or with fine, or with both.
The followers of the self-proclaimed godman, who has also recently acted in his own movie MSG, filed a case against the comedian for allegedly mimicking Singh on the Colors TV’s popular show broadcast on 27 December.
Leading the protest has been Tanmany Bhatt of the popular comedy group All India Bakchod.
In a series of tweets, Bhatt said, “Section 295A needs to go. Or modified. Or something. It gives every religious group ammunition to go after anyone.
Number of times ive seen cops go ‘Sir religion ke bare mein kuch bologe toh hum bhi nahi kar sakte hai kuch.‘”
https://twitter.com/thetanmay/status/687185470648905728
https://twitter.com/thetanmay/status/687185772278071296
Similar demands are being made by other users too. Here are some examples.
If we started jailing ppl for mimicking others, 1st one in Tihar will be Cong's Salman Khursheed, finest mimic in town! #IStanWithKikuSharda
— Shekhar Gupta (@ShekharGupta) January 13, 2016
And then people ask why are some returning awards?? Hmmm #Kiku #Palak https://t.co/A8IxBOiSlm
— Smita Sharma (@Smita_Sharma) January 13, 2016
https://twitter.com/SupraMario/status/687193811806765056
Comedian Kiku Sharda arrested by Haryana Police for mimicking Baba Ram Rahim. This is called intolerance, No?@mlkhattar@KapilSharmaK9
— Manak Gupta (@manakgupta) January 13, 2016
MSG once dressed up like Guru Gobind Singh ji Maharaj for fun, but got Kiku Sharda arrested for doing same to him? pic.twitter.com/oGBgDqwSMZ
— Gaurav Pandhi गौरव पांधी (@GauravPandhi) January 13, 2016
56 inch Govt is not able 2 bring the Italian mariner who killed two Indian fishermen, but arrests Kiku Sharda for comedy! Achhe Din aa gaye!
— Roji M John (@rojimjohn) January 13, 2016
I hope from now onwards, God gives Kiku Sharda some grey matter in his brain before working for such shameful acts!!#KikuDekhHaryanaKiKick
— Anisha (@Ar_Anisha_) January 13, 2016
Kiku Sharda should be awarded for mimicking a mimic. Poor chap. Who'd waste time on that Ram Rahim Gurmeet bloke?
— SUHEL SETH (@suhelseth) January 13, 2016
Kiku Sharda sent to jail for hurting religious sentiment of people who are following a man who made MSG 1-2 to prove that he has no religion
— EngiNerd. (@mainbhiengineer) January 13, 2016
The person to thank for Kiku Sharda arrest is PM Nehru. He brought in as 1st amendment, restrictions on our Fundamental Right to free Speech
— Ishkaran Singh Bhandari (@Ish_Bhandari) January 13, 2016