Comedian Kiku Sharda has been arrested for allegedly hurting religious sentiments of Dera Sauda Chief Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh's followers. Soon after his arrest, several popular artists, social activists, Bollywood celebs and journalists took to Twitter to express their support for Kiku of the "Comedy Nights With Kapil" fame who is popularly known as Palak.
A case was filed against Kiku after he mimicked self-styled godman Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh during an episode on "Comedy Nights With Kapil". Gurmeet Ram Rahim's followers also demonstrated protests demanding the arrest of the actor, following which Kiku apologised for the act.
However, Kiku was reportedly arrested while he was shooting for the last episode of "Comedy Nights With Kapil" in Mumbai on Wednesday morning. After being arrested, Kiku said that he was just following a script and had no intention of hurting anyone's religious sentiments.
"I am an artist who is given a role, a get-up and told what to do. I have already apologised. I didn't want to hurt anyone's sentiments. I did not mean to hurt anyone's religious sentiments. I am sorry, I was just following a script. If some objectionable word comes out while performing, it's edited by the channel. This is also channel's responsibility. I am really very very sorry, if I have hurt anyone's sentiments. I fold my hands and apologise to everyone," DNA quoted Kiku as saying. Meanwhile, Kiku started trending on Twitter as many prominent personalities took to the micro-blogging site to express their support for the comedian.
