The arrest of law student and social media influencer Sharmistha Panoli in Gurugram by the Kolkata Police has sparked widespread political and public outcry. Panoli was taken into custody over a controversial social media post related to “Operation Sindoor,” which authorities claimed was communally provocative. Although she later deleted the post and issued an apology, several public figures and political leaders condemned the arrest as excessive and biased.
Among the most vocal was Andhra Pradesh Deputy Chief Minister and Jana Sena Party chief Pawan Kalyan. Taking to social media, Kalyan questioned the West Bengal Police’s decision to arrest Panoli despite her apology. He drew attention to past controversial remarks made by TMC leaders, asking why there had been no similar legal action. "Secularism must be a two-way street," he wrote, demanding equal treatment for all communities and condemning selective outrage.
WB Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, meanwhile, accused the BJP of trying to stir communal unrest in the state and defended the police action. She alleged that BJP leaders were politicizing religion and using incidents like these to push their agenda.
Support also poured in from international quarters, with Dutch MP Geert Wilders calling the arrest a violation of free speech. In a post tagging Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Wilders urged Indian authorities to release Panoli immediately, describing the arrest as a “disgrace.” Wilders, who previously supported suspended BJP leader Nupur Sharma in a similar case, has been vocal about global issues related to religious expression.
Actress and BJP MP Kangana Ranaut also expressed her support for Panoli on Instagram. She acknowledged the influencer's words were harsh but emphasized that her public apology should have been enough. Ranaut said continued harassment was unwarranted and demanded Panoli's immediate release.
With political tensions rising, the Kolkata Police issued a statement defending their actions, claiming all legal procedures were followed. They dismissed claims of unlawful arrest circulating on social media, asserting that the case was handled within the framework of the law. The arrest has reignited the national debate on freedom of expression, religious sensitivity, and selective enforcement, with public opinion sharply divided across ideological lines.
