Comedian Kiku Sharda's arrest for "mimicking" Baba Ram Rahim has upset many people. But the real culprit might just be Section 295A of the IPC.
Yesterday’s arrest of comedian Kiku Sharda was bound to cause an mini-storm. Held for “mimicking” Baba Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh Insan, Sharda was sent to 14-days judicial custody for hurting the sentiments of the popular godman’s followers. Sharda has since apologised, saying that he was just following a script, and Ram Rahim has “accepted” his apology.
Doston the act on TV was not to hurt anyone’s feelings. My apologies to @Gurmeetramrahim ji and his followers. Let’s spread happiness. ?
— kiku sharda (@kikusharda) December 28, 2015
I was busy shooting OnlineGurukul; just got to know, devotees are hurt due to Kiku’s action.If he has apologized, no complaint from my side
— GURMEET RAM RAHIM (@Gurmeetramrahim) January 13, 2016
More than outrage over either Sharda or Ram Rahim, however, what has attracted the most indignation is the archaic law under which the comedian was booked — Section 295A of the Indian Penal Code.
Source: Indian Kanoon
Previous targets of the law include actors Salman Khan, Shah Rukh Khan, Aamir Khan, Sunny Deol, Akshay Kumar, and comedy collective All India Bakchod.
People have taken to social media websites such as Facebook and Twitter to speak out against 295A, with a common criticism being that it inhibits creative freedom.
Section 295A for the longest time has been used to threaten artists. Even cops sometimes cant help but arrest because of the pressure.
— Tanmay Bhat (@thetanmay) January 13, 2016
Section 295A needs to go. Or modified. Or something. It gives every religious group ammo to go after anyone.
— Tanmay Bhat (@thetanmay) January 13, 2016
Prison nights with Kapil… I don’t see why we shouldn’t change the title with immediate effect #Sec295A
— Ashwin Mushran (@ashwinmushran) January 13, 2016
Indian Law da. #WeStandWithKikuSharda
— Sagarcasm (@sagarcasm) January 13, 2016
I fail to understand how mimickry by Kiku Sharda violated secion 295A of IPC which reads:
” 295A. Deliberate and…
Posted by Markandey Katju on Wednesday, 13 January 2016
Section 295A was first introduced to India by the British in the 1920s. Maybe it’s time to get rid of this particular piece of colonial legacy?
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