Congress criticises arrest of comedian Kiku Sharda

Slamming the arrest of comedian Kiku Sharda, Congress on Thursday said such actions make India look like a "tin pot republic" and the Haryana Police should be "ashamed" of carrying out the arrest.

Party spokesman Abhishek Singhvi said comedians like Kiku 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 ! "V look like tin pot republic or like sum imploding nbours," he said in a series of tweets.

"As 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" 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!".

Kiku Sharda was arrested by Haryana Police on Wednesday on a complaint alleging that he hurt religious sentiments by mocking Dera Sacha Sauda sect head Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh.