New Delhi: “Secularism isn’t a shield for some and a sword for others. It must be a two-way street,” wrote BJP ally and Andhra Pradesh’s Deputy Chief Minister Pawan Kalyan after Kolkata Police arrested influencer Sharmistha Panoli following a communal post. Kalyan also flagged West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee’s remarks and posted a video of her speech.
On Saturday, Kolkata Police arrested Sharmistha Panoli, a 22-year-old law student, over social media videos where she used abusive and inflammatory language with communal overtones, while also slamming Bollywood stars for not speaking out during Operation Sindoor.
The FIR against Panoli was filed after a complaint in Kolkata. She was booked under Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita sections and was produced in court and later, remanded in judicial custody for 14 days.
Taking to X, Jana Kalyan Sena leader Pawan Kalyan posted: “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.”
He went on: “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?”
Posting a video of the TMC chief’s statements, Kalyan said, “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. #IstandwithSharmistha. #EqualJustice.”
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… pic.twitter.com/YBotf34YYe
— Pawan Kalyan (@PawanKalyan) May 31, 2025
Kolkata Police have pointed out that ‘certain social media narratives suggesting an unlawful arrest of a law student are factually incorrect and misleading”.
In a post on X, it said: “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.”
After the raging row, the student deleted her post and issued an apology.
Leader of the Opposition in the Bengal Assembly Suvendu Adhikari has also taken strong exception to the student’s arrest. He asked: “Where is this same zeal when idols of Hindu deities are vandalized in West Bengal? When stone pelting happens on Ram Navami & Hanuman Jayanti Processions?”
