Police complaint by petrol pump owner against comedian Shyam Rangeela for video mocking rising fuel prices

A petrol pump owner in Rajasthan’s Sriganganagar has filed a complaint against comedian Shyam Rangeela who mimicked Prime Minister Narendra Modi and mocked the fuel price hike in a video shot at the premises and shared by him on social media on February 16.

The video gathered over a million views on Youtube and 42,000 likes on Twitter.

Soon after that, the petrol pump’s owner, Surendra Agarwal, lodged a complaint at the Sadar police station. According to media reports, Agarwal was directed by the private oil company whose dealership he owns to file the complaint.

In the video in question, Rangeela had mocked the skyrocketing fuel prices mimicking Modi. He had said that no government in the past could get petrol its ‘real value’.

"My dear Indians, Sriganganagar in Rajasthan is very proud after the price of petrol touched Rs 100. No such government has come in the history of free India, who could get petrol its real value, we have given the petrol its right," said Rangeela in the video.

He further goes on to say, "Not only Sriganganagar, but the whole country will also get the opportunity to be proud of getting the actual value, I assure you. We are also buying petrol for Rs 100 for the benefit of our country. The opposition says that if petrol prices are hiked, this will create a problem. But as I always say, national comes first than anyone."

Rangeela has refused to remove the video from the social media. In response to criticism, he posted a video stating that his motive was not to hurt anyone's feelings. He apologised to people affected by the video. On the complaint filed, Rangeela clarified that he had made the video about the rising petrol prices in the state so that the government can pay attention and provide some relief.