The Andhra Pradesh Police have detained a second stand-up comedian, identified as Rafiq, in connection with alleged offensive remarks made about Deputy Chief Minister and Jana Sena Party Chief Pawan Kalyan. The detention comes amid rising tensions and public outrage from supporters of the Jana Sena Party, who have demanded strict action over the comments circulating on social media.
According to police officials, Rafiq, a resident of Visakhapatnam, was taken from his residence on the night of April 16 and initially called to the Vizag I Town police station. He was later shifted to Chilakalapudi police station in Machilipatnam, where he is currently in custody. Station House Officer Nabi confirmed that while Rafiq is being held, a formal arrest has not yet been recorded.
The case against him was registered following a complaint filed by Sayana Sivannarayana, a Jana Sena leader from Machilipatnam. The complaint alleges that Rafiq made “offensive and insulting comments” targeting Pawan Kalyan and Andhra Pradesh Minister Nara Lokesh. Police said the investigation is underway based on these allegations.
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The controversy escalated after videos of Rafiq’s stand-up performances circulated online, reportedly showing remarks on Pawan Kalyan’s personal life, political career, and family. Some of the clips also include comparisons and satirical references involving other political figures, which sparked backlash from supporters of the ruling alliance in the state.
This development follows a similar case involving Hyderabad-based comedian Anudeep Katikala, who was recently arrested in connection with comparable allegations. In that case, police reportedly traced him across state lines before detaining him in Uttar Pradesh and bringing him back to Andhra Pradesh. He was later released on a personal bond after being produced before a magistrate.
The back-to-back incidents have triggered debate over the boundaries of political satire and free expression, as well as concerns about the growing use of legal action in response to online comedy content targeting public figures. Police officials have stated that further investigation is ongoing in both cases.
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