New Delhi: A major political controversy has erupted after the arrest of 22-year-old social media influencer Sharmishta Panoli by the Kolkata police, with the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) launching a scathing attack on the West Bengal government, accusing it of “selective enforcement of law” and “vote bank appeasement”.
Panoli, a law student and Instagram influencer, was arrested from Gurugram on Friday for allegedly uploading a video containing communal content and inflammatory language in connection with Operation Sindoor. She was produced in court on Saturday and remanded to judicial custody till June 13.
The development has sparked a furry of reactions in the state which will go to polls next year. The BJP leaders slammed the Trinamool Congress (TMC) government, claiming the arrest was politically motivated and an example of “differential treatment” in cases involving religious sentiments.
Amit Malviya attacks Mamata govt
“Sharmishta Panoli, just 22 years old, has been arrested and sent to 14-day judicial custody over a video she had already deleted and publicly apologised for on May 15,” BJP’s West Bengal co-incharge Amit Malviya posted on X. “There have been no incidents of unrest due to her remarks, yet the Kolkata police acted with uncharacteristic haste,” he added, alleging that the state government was targeting “a young Hindu woman to appease its vote bank”.
Malviya further questioned chief minister Mamata Banerjee’s own past statements, suggesting that some of her remarks had led to actual violence and property damage. “Will the law be applied to her with the same urgency?” he asked.
Joining the criticism, Andhra Pradesh deputy chief minister and BJP ally Pawan Kalyan echoed similar sentiments. “Secularism isn’t a shield for some and a sword for others. It must be a two-way street,” Kalyan wrote on X, questioning the silence of authorities when Sanatan Dharma is mocked by elected representatives. He also shared a video of Mamata Banerjee’s previous remarks that he claimed were “deeply hurtful” to Hindus.
“Sharmishta spoke out during Operation Sindoor, her words regrettable and hurtful to some. But she deleted the video, apologised. Where is the apology when Sanatana Dharma is called names by public figures?” Kalyan added.
Dutch MP’s support for influencer
Kolkata police, meanwhile, issued a clarification in response to growing backlash, denying allegations of unlawful arrest. “All legal procedures were duly adhered to,” the police said in a statement. “Despite multiple attempts to serve her notice, the accused was found absconding. A court-issued arrest warrant was executed in accordance with due process. She was then presented before the appropriate magistrate.”
The FIR against Panoli cites several sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, including those related to promoting enmity between groups, outraging religious feelings, and intentional insult meant to provoke breach of peace.
The arrest has also drawn international attention. Dutch MP Geert Wilders, known for his far-right views, came out in support of Panoli, calling the arrest a “disgrace” and urging Prime Minister Narendra Modi to intervene. “Free the brave Sharmishta Panoli,” Wilders wrote, saying her arrest was an attack on freedom of speech.
Leader of the Opposition in the West Bengal assembly, Suvendu Adhikari, questioned the state administration’s silence in cases where Hindu temples are vandalised or religious processions are attacked. “Where is this same zeal when Ram Navami and Hanuman Jayanti processions are pelted with stones?” he asked.
