New Delhi: The arrest of Sharmistha Panoli, a 22-year-old law student and influencer, has invited criticism from various quarters. But, for the ruling Trinamool Congress (TMC) in West Bengal it has had another unintended consequence—bringing leaders of the Congress and Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on the same page, at least on this issue.
Sharmistha was arrested by Kolkata police from Haryana’s Gurugram Friday night in connection with an FIR lodged at Kolkata’s Garden Reach police station last month over an Instagram video on Operation Sindoor in which she made alleged controversial remarks on Prophet Muhammad.
She subsequently deleted the video and issued an apology on 15 May, but the Kolkata Police took her into custody saying she and her family “absconded” and attempts to serve notices to appear for questioning were not successful. On Saturday, Sharmistha was produced before the Alipore Court in Kolkata, which remanded her in judicial custody or 14 days.
What has now further drawn attention to the case is the comment of Dutch politician Geert Wilders, who called the action a “disgrace for freedom of speech” and urged Prime Minister Narendra Modi to intervene for Sharmistha’s release. Wilders is a leader of the far-right Party for Freedom.
“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 said in a post on ‘X’.
Congress MP Karti Chidambaram called the arrest “a blatant misuse of police powers,” adding on X: “These interstate arrests for social media posts (unless it’s clearly demonstrated that it has led to a law and order situation) is blatantly a misuse of police powers.”
BJP leader Suvendu Adhikari accused West Bengal’s ruling Trinamool Congress (TMC) of targeting Hindu voices selectively. “Mamata Banerjee – ‘Maha Kumbh is Mrityu Kumbh’. ‘Jai Shree Ram is insulting abusive cuss word, hurled towards her.’ No legal action. Mahua Moitra – ‘Kali to me is a meat-eating, alcohol-accepting Goddess,’ No legal action… (sic),” he said on ‘X’.
Sharmistha, he said, made a personal comment in wake of the Pahalgam terrorist attack where Hindus were “targeted selectively,” which she later deleted and apologized for, “yet was arrested by Kolkata Police from Gurgaon.”
“Action is only taken against Sanatanis,” he claimed.
The Hindu woman, according to BJP’s IT cell head Amit Malviya, was arrested to “appease a vote bank.” “This isn’t just about Bengal — this is about how a young Hindu woman is being targeted to appease a vote bank… Justice must not be politically convenient.”
Actor and BJP MP Kangana Ranaut wrote on Instagram that the Pune Law University student’s apology should have been enough. “She should be released immediately.”
Andhra Pradesh Deputy Chief Minister Pawan Kalyan said, “Where is the outrage when our faith is called ‘Gandha Dharm’? Where is their apology? Where is their swift arrest?”
And then there are the likes of Samajwadi Party MLA Abu Azmi who have demanded stricter laws to penalise religious hate speech. “A law should be formulated against such people which gives a punishment of at least 10 years,” he said.
The controversy began on May 14 when AIMIM spokesperson Waris Pathan flagged a video in which Sharmistha allegedly used derogatory language in response to a user defending Pakistan.
On its part, the Kolkata Police defended the arrest of the social media influencer. “All legal procedures were duly adhered to. All attempts were made to serve notice, but she was found absconding. A warrant was issued by a competent court, following which she was apprehended lawfully,” it said.
Sharmistha faces serious charges under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, including Section 196(1)(a) for promoting enmity between groups based on religion, Section 299 for deliberate acts to outrage religious feelings, Section 352 for intentional insult to provoke breach of peace, and Section 353(1)(c) for inciting public mischief.
(Edited by Tony Rai)
The act to disturb public peace and tranquility must be dealt with iron fist . Y the name of prophet while u talk abt operation sindoor .
We have done a great job ,we r happy .
Y comment against prophets,God , godess, or any person ?
How does it matter that she is a law student .
Law students ,lawyers r suppose to be more responsible while using words .
All those who disturb peace irrespective of who they are must be dealt as per law ,which must be example for others . The trend of cheap comments r so often since 11-12 yrs .
Let the law take its own course .
@Yash – You seem to have a very one-sided and blinkered view of things. Whatever Sharmishtha said, she probably used better language than you in your comment. Ultimately, she will be acquitted by the courts. In fact, even now, she should have been released on bail. As for the people of West Bengal, one can’t help but feel sorry for them.
She should rot in jail for a long time. As for kangana, etc when they didn’t speak against the arrest of Khan Mahmudabad in completely FAKE case, they should shut up now. As for Geert, he should be beaten with chappal until his poisonous mentality gets fixed.
Suvendu’s words may appease people outside & his political masters but here in Bengal, it’s a fact that we worship Kali Ma w non veg food. That’s why she is the most famous goddess in Bengal to all of us. Here in Bengal, everyone sees suvendu as a traitor and unless BJP has a ring of leaders who are genuine and eye catching, they will not win here.
The West Bengal police did not act when mobs of Jihadis wantonly attacked Hindus and killed/maimed/raped by the hundreds. Two were left dead, a few hundred are still hospitalised and recuperating. Many have lost limbs and many Hindu women were raped and molested.
All the while, West Bengal police was a mute spectator. Under instructions from Bengal Home Ministry, they gave a free pass to radical and fanatic Islamists to engage in anti-Hindu pogroms.
Frantic calls from panic stricken Hindus in Murshidabad did not elicit any response at all. It was only due to the prompt action from BSF that the murderous mobs of fundamentalist Muslims could be brought under control.
And therefore, BSF became the target of Mamata Banerjee’s government. Why? Because it responded to the situation and acted against Jihadi mobs engaged in anti-Hindu pogroms.
The TMC government would have loved it if the Islamists had been able to wipe off Hindus from the entire Murshidabad district. Unfortunately for Ms. Mamata Banerjee, the BSF acted promptly and decisively and foiled the TMC’s plans.