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BJP Slams Mamata Banerjee as “Ruthless” Over Arrest of Influencer Sharmishtha Panoli

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Sharmishtha Panoli

Source: Deccan Herald

Kolkata, India — A political firestorm has erupted in West Bengal following the arrest of 22-year-old Instagram influencer and law student Sharmishtha Panoli, with the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) intensifying its attack on Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, labeling her government as “ruthless” and intolerant toward dissent.

Arrest Sparks National Outrage

On May 31, Sharmishtha Panoli was detained by Kolkata Police in Gurugram for allegedly making communal remarks on social media related to Operation Sindoor, a Hindu rights campaign. The arrest has since snowballed into a nationwide debate on freedom of speech, selective law enforcement, and digital censorship.

According to police sources, the content posted by Sharmishtha Panoli was flagged for potentially inciting communal disharmony. She was subsequently transferred to Kolkata and placed under 13-day judicial custody. The speed and seriousness of the action have triggered massive pushback, particularly from opposition parties.

Who is Sharmishtha Panoli?

Sharmishtha Panoli is a 22-year-old law student and social media influencer from Kolkata, currently studying at a university in Pune. She gained prominence for sharing her views on socio-political issues, amassing over 175,000 followers across platforms like Instagram and X (formerly Twitter) .

Source: Times Algebra 

In May 2025, Panoli posted a video on Instagram criticizing Bollywood celebrities for their silence on ‘Operation Sindoor’, a military operation following the Pahalgam terror attack. The video contained remarks that were perceived as communal, leading to widespread backlash. Despite deleting the video and issuing an unconditional apology, a First Information Report (FIR) was filed against her. After reportedly evading police summons, she was arrested by Kolkata Police in Gurugram, Haryana, on May 30, 2025, and brought to Kolkata on transit remand .

Sharmishtha Panoli has been remanded to 14 days of judicial custody and faces multiple charges under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, including promoting enmity between communities and making statements inciting unrest

Her arrest has sparked political controversy, with figures like BJP MP Kangana Ranaut and Andhra Pradesh Deputy Chief Minister Pawan Kalyan criticizing the West Bengal government’s actions, citing concerns over freedom of expression and selective enforcement .

Panoli’s legal team has raised concerns about her health and jail conditions, stating that she suffers from kidney stones and is being denied basic amenities. They have filed a petition seeking an early court hearing to address these issues .

Read Also: Mamata Banerjee to PM Modi: ‘Give Sindoor to Your Wife First’ — A War of Words Sparks Viral Debate

BJP: “One Rule for Hindus, Another for Others”

Reacting sharply, BJP leaders accused the Trinamool Congress (TMC) government of “appeasement politics” and religious bias in its policing approach. BJP’s Agnimitra Paul claimed, “There are two sets of rules in Bengal—one for Hindus and one for Muslims,” pointing to what the party perceives as a pattern of selective enforcement under Mamata Banerjee’s rule.

“Why is it that a young Hindu girl is picked up from another state, while others who spew hate or incite violence are left untouched?” Paul asked at a press briefing.

Source: India Today

Kangana Ranaut, Pawan Kalyan Join Chorus of Condemnation

Adding fuel to the fire, BJP MP and actress Kangana Ranaut called the move “dictatorial,” warning that Bengal was becoming the “North Korea of India.”

“Don’t turn Bengal into North Korea. This is a democracy, not a dictatorship. Young women have a right to express themselves,” Ranaut wrote on X (formerly Twitter).

Source: ANI 

Popular actor and Andhra Pradesh Deputy Chief Minister Pawan Kalyan also voiced dismay. “There is selective outrage and suppression happening under the garb of law and order,” he posted, urging the judiciary to uphold fairness.

Legal Team to Seek Urgent Hearing

Sharmishtha Panoli’s legal team is preparing to file for an early hearing in Kolkata’s sessions court, seeking either bail or relief from further custody. Her lawyer stated that the arrest lacked proper justification and was “a gross overreach by state authorities.”

“She is a law student with no prior record. The case should have been handled with a legal notice, not midnight raids,” her lawyer emphasized.

TMC Stands Firm, Defends Action

Despite mounting criticism, the TMC government has stood by the police action. A senior state official explained, “Freedom of expression cannot come at the cost of communal harmony. The law will take its course regardless of political color.”

However, critics argue that the TMC’s stance is hypocritical, citing previous instances where individuals from minority communities made provocative statements without facing similar consequences.

Digital Speech and Political Control

Panoli’s arrest underscores the increasing legal scrutiny over digital speech, especially when it touches on religious or political sensitivities. With the rise of influencers and alternative media, governments—state and central alike—are grappling with where to draw the line between expression and incitement.

This case adds to a growing list of arrests and FIRs against social media users, comedians, journalists, and even schoolchildren under laws like IPC Section 153A (promoting enmity between groups) and the IT Act.

Political Climate in West Bengal Heats Up

West Bengal has remained a political hotspot post the 2021 Assembly elections, with frequent clashes between the BJP and the ruling TMC over issues like religious festivals, law and order, and minority rights.

Sharmishtha Panoli’s arrest has now become a flashpoint. BJP has already announced plans to organize protests across the state demanding her immediate release. “This is not about one influencer—it’s about how Mamata Banerjee is running Bengal like her private fiefdom,” said BJP spokesperson Samik Bhattacharya.

Broader Implications: Free Speech in Jeopardy?

Legal experts are divided. While some believe that arresting individuals for communal remarks is necessary in a country as diverse as India, others argue that the process is being weaponized by governments to silence dissent.

Senior advocate and constitutional expert Indira Jaising commented, “If free speech offends, the solution is counter-speech—not incarceration. If courts don’t step in now, we may be staring at a digital Emergency.”

Youth, Activism, and the Instagram Generation

This incident also highlights the growing influence of youth voices online—and the accompanying vulnerabilities. Sharmishtha Panoli, despite being a student, had over 100,000 followers and frequently spoke about nationalism, Hindu identity, and women’s rights.

“Young people today are using social media to raise their voices. The establishment doesn’t like that,” said Sakshi Sharma, a Delhi University researcher in digital cultures. “The moment women or marginalized communities speak up, the system reacts harshly.”

What’s Next?

As the BJP ramps up its campaign, observers are keenly watching how the judiciary responds. A favorable ruling for Panoli could become a landmark precedent for digital rights in India. Alternatively, a prolonged custody could set a chilling precedent for influencers across the country.

Meanwhile, political temperatures in Bengal show no signs of cooling. As opposition parties mobilize and civil liberties groups sound the alarm, Mamata Banerjee faces renewed scrutiny over the balance between governance and repression.

Conclusion

The arrest of Sharmishtha Panoli is more than a police action—it is a microcosm of India’s ongoing struggle between state power and individual liberty. As the political narrative unfolds, the case could reshape how India views digital expression, religious discourse, and the boundaries of lawful dissent.

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