Bollywood celebrities aren’t always in the front line when it comes to defending constitutional rights and expressing their opinions on human rights violations. However, TV comedian Kiku Sharda’s arrest following his caricature of Dera Sacha Sauda chief and self-styled Godman Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh ‘Insaan’, has promptly brought Twitterati out of the woodwork.

Several prominent celebrities have expressed outrage at the arrest of the comedian who has since apologised and continues to remain in custody in Haryana. Actors such as Rishi Kapoor were one of the first celebs to show support for the comedian, followed by the likes of comedian Vir Das and director Farah Khan and her husband Shirish Kunder who jokingly considered changing his bio to ‘godman’ in order to secure more followers and immunity from the law.

Sharda who has become a household name thanks to the popularity of ‘Comedy Nights with Kapil’ also had his colleague and show host Kapil Sharma calling Gurmit Ram Rahim out on this outrageous act. For his part, Gurmeet Ram Raheem tweeted saying he wasn’t aware of the arrest since he was busy ‘shooting’. He also considered the matter resolved if Sharda had apologised and claimed the action was taken by aggrieved followers :

 

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

Here’s what Bollywood had to say

 

See this picture!I would like to play this rockstar in a film. Let me see who puts me behind bars? Go Kiku Sharda! pic.twitter.com/8Dfre237NY

 

— rishi kapoor (@chintskap) January 13, 2016

 

Changing my bio to ‘Godman’. I’ve 2.47 lakh followers. Anyone making fun of me will now be arrested under section 295A of IPC. #KikuSharda

 

— Shirish Kunder (@ShirishKunder) January 13, 2016

 

pic.twitter.com/Glcn3N7Dvo

 

— KAPIL (@KapilSharmaK9) January 13, 2016

 

#KikuSharda pic.twitter.com/3KBxnaA1v2

 

— Farah Khan (@TheFarahKhan) January 13, 2016

 

I don’t see our leaders getting arrested for behaving like comedians everyday.

 

— Vir Das (@thevirdas) January 13, 2016

 

 

 

Again..We are so easy to offend. This is a comedy show for f*^@s sake!! It’s MEANT to show us the lighter side. Oof! https://t.co/lHn5Z8yPFF

 

— Mini Mathur (@minimathur) January 13, 2016