AAP calls Kiku Sharda's arrest for mimicking Gurmeet Ram Rahim a step towards 'Talibanisation'

New Delhi: Condemning the arrest of comedian Kiku Sharda for allegedly mocking Dera Sacha Sauda sect head Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh in a TV show, AAP on Wednesday said it was a major step towards "Talibanisation" of the state.

Lashing out at the Haryana government, the party termed the arrest as a blatant act of muzzling creative people and was done at the behest of the self-styled spiritual Guru. 

"What BJP-led Haryana government has done is a continuation of the anti-people and anti-democratic values which BJP stands for. No religious sentiments should be hurt in this case. Haryana government is acting at the behest of a self claimed spiritual guru who outrightly supported and publicly called upon his followers to vote for BJP in the last Assembly polls."

"Kiku Sharda has apologised and the matter could very well have been laid to rest but Manohar Lal Khattar government chose to give it a turn in order to appease its supportive hardline elements," the party said in a statement.

Sharda, best known for his drag act as Palak in popular TV show 'Comedy Nights With Kapil', was today arrested by Haryana police on a complaint alleging he hurt religious sentiments by mocking Dera Sacha Sauda sect head Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh.

AAP claimed that an environment of intolerance has been further vitiated with the Haryana government opting to harass an actor and performer.

"The arrest of Kiki Sharda is a major step towards Talibanisation of Haryana. Aam Aadmi Party calls upon the government of Haryana not to play in the hands of communal elements and ensure freedom of speech and expression," the party said.