Political Figures Condemn West Bengal Police Over Influencer’s Arrest
VISAKHAPATNAM/DELHI: A political controversy has erupted following the arrest of 22-year-old law student and social media influencer Sharmishta Panoli by West Bengal Police for a controversial video post related to Operation Sindoor. BJP MP Kangana Ranaut sharply criticized the Trinamool Congress (TMC) government, urging it not to transform Bengal into “North Korea.” Andhra Pradesh Deputy Chief Minister Pawan Kalyan also denounced the arrest, highlighting what he called “selective outrage” by authorities.
Panoli, a law student, was apprehended in Gurgaon on May 30 following an FIR filed at Kolkata’s Garden Reach police station, accusing her of “hurting religious sentiments.” She has been remanded to judicial custody in Kolkata until June 13. The influencer had posted a video that sparked widespread backlash, leading her to delete it and issue a public apology.
Ranaut condemned the arrest, stating to ANI that harassing someone under the guise of law and order is unacceptable, especially after Panoli apologized and removed the post. She argued that imprisoning the young woman, damaging her career, and questioning her character is unjust, emphasizing that Panoli’s remarks were general and reflective of language commonly used by her generation. Ranaut called for her immediate release, noting her youth and future potential.
Kalyan, in a social media post, stressed that while blasphemy should be condemned, secularism must be applied consistently. He questioned why TMC members who allegedly mocked Sanatan Dharma faced no similar action, urging West Bengal Police to act impartially. “The nation is watching,” he wrote, advocating for equal justice.
The incident has also drawn attention from other quarters. The Bar Council of India chairman demanded Panoli’s release, accusing the TMC government of overreach. Meanwhile, Maharashtra University, where Panoli studies, has suspended her and barred her from campus placements, further intensifying the controversy.