Comedians, artists, cartoonists should draw some limit: Raju Shrivastav

Artists, cartoonists and comedians should draw some limit to what they portray, said comedian Raju Shrivastav after Kiku Sharda aka 'Palak' of 'Comedy Nights With Kapil' got arrested for mimicking Dera Sacha Sauda head Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh.

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"This is a democratic country, where people can speak out their mind; but yes, artists, cartoonists and comedians should draw some limit to what they portray. There should not be any personal attack, religious sentiment should not be hurt, and national integrity should not be compromised. Comedy should bind everyone together," he told ANI.

Comedian Kiku Sharda has been sent to 14-day judicial custody.

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Raju Shrivastava added that he never faced such problems and was well supported by the prominent people he mimicked.

"I never had to face such hurdles; rather I got huge supports from Lalu Ji, Modi Ji, Mulayam Ji, Atal Ji, Shivpal Ji, Sharad Pawar Ji, Azam Khan.I mimic all of them, and they enjoy it, along with the audience," he said.

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Kiku, apologising for the comments made on television, said he was only following the script given to him during his act, adding that his job was to entertain the people.

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"I am an actor. I am told what to do, I am given a script and a get up and I act accordingly. I did not have any clue that my look would hurt religious sentiments. If such a thing has happened then I apologise for it," he told reporters.

On the other hand, followers of the Dera Sacha Sauda chief said they were hurt by the show as Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh is 'God' to them.

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"There is a programme on Zee TV, Jashn-e-umeed, where they impersonated him (Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh) and showed him with alcohol and dancing with women. There has been a mockery of Guruji. All followers, who saw it, were hurt. After this, we filed a complaint against Kiku Sharda and party," said a follower of the Dera chief.