New Delhi: Sharmishta Panoli, a 22-year-old social media influencer, who was arrested by Kolkata Police over allegedly communal content on social media, has now received support from overseas. Geert Wilders, a Dutch MP and leader of the far-right Party for Freedom, has slammed the arrest, calling it an attack on free speech, and urged Prime Minister Narendra Modi to intervene.
“Free the brave Sharmishta Panoli! It’s a disgrace for the freedom of speech that she was arrested. Don’t punish her for speaking the truth about Pakistan and Muhammad. Help her @narendramodi,” Wilders posted on X. The message was accompanied by an image that read: “All eyes on Sharmistha.”
Arrest of Sharmishta Panoli
Panoli, who is also a law student, was detained by Kolkata Police for uploading videos where she allegedly used abusive and communally provocative language. In the now-deleted clips, she also criticised Bollywood actors for remaining silent on “Operation Sindoor”—India’s retaliatory action following the Pahalgam terror attack that claimed 26 lives.
Her arrest has triggered a political debate, with the BJP and its allies accusing the West Bengal government, led by Mamata Banerjee, of double standards. The FIR filed in Kolkata against Panoli cites several sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, including those relating to promoting enmity on religious grounds, intentional acts meant to outrage religious sentiments, and deliberate provocation leading to breach of peace. She was presented in court and remanded to judicial custody for 14 days.
Pawan Kalyan extends support
Jana Kalyan Sena chief Pawan Kalyan also shared his views on the issue via social media. “During Operation Sindoor, Sharmistha, a law student, spoke out, her words regrettable and hurtful to some. She owned her mistake, deleted the video and apologized. The WB Police swiftly acted, taking action against Sharmistha. But what about the deep, searing pain inflicted upon millions when elected leaders, MPs of TMC, mock Sanatana Dharma? Where is the outrage when our faith is called ‘Gandha Dharm’? Where is their apology? Where is their swift arrest?,” he questioned.
In response to BJP’s criticism, Mamata Banerjee accused the party of trying to stoke communal tensions in the state through divisive rhetoric. She asserted that the BJP’s “ganda dharma” goes against the essence of Hinduism.
Responding to her remarks, Kalyan posted another message on X, saying, “Blasphemy must be condemned, always! Secularism isn’t a shield for some and a sword for others. It must be a two-way street. West Bengal Police, the nation is watching. Act justly for all.”
Meanwhile, Kolkata Police issued a clarification rejecting claims that Panoli’s arrest was illegal or politically motivated.
“All legal procedures were duly adhered to. All attempts were made to serve notice, but she was found absconding on every occasion. Consequently, a warrant of arrest was issued by the competent court, following which she was apprehended lawfully from Gurgaon. She was thereafter produced before the appropriate magistrate and granted transit remand as per due process of law. We urge all concerned to refrain from spreading unverified or speculative content and to rely on authentic sources for information,” the police said in a statement on X.
Shortly after facing backlash, Sharmishta Panoli removed the controversial post and issued a public apology.
