“Sharmishtha Panoli Arrest Sparks Global Outcry as Dutch MP and Indian Leaders Defend Free Speech”
Influencer and law student Sharmishtha Panoli has become the center of a growing national and international debate following her recent arrest by the Kolkata Police over a controversial social media post. The 22-year-old was taken into custody from Gurugram on Friday for allegedly sharing a communal video criticizing Bollywood celebrities for their silence on Operation Sindoor, an Indian military operation. Her arrest has sparked outrage among political leaders, public figures, and even foreign politicians, igniting a debate on freedom of speech and selective justice.
Panoli’s arrest drew sharp criticism from Geert Wilders, a Member of the Dutch Parliament, who expressed his support for her from 7,000 kilometers away in the Netherlands. Taking to social media platform X, Wilders condemned the arrest and called it a “disgrace for the freedom of speech.” He wrote, “Free the brave Sharmishtha Panoli! It’s a disgrace for the freedom of speech that she was arrested. Don’t punish her for speaking the truth about Pakistan and Muhammad.” He tagged Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi in the post, urging, “Help her @narendramodi,” while sharing an image of Panoli captioned “All eyes on Sharmistha.”
This incident has also led to political confrontation within India, with leaders from the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and its ally, Jana Sena Party, condemning West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee and accusing her government of double standards. Andhra Pradesh Deputy Chief Minister and Jana Sena Party leader Pawan Kalyan also voiced his concerns on X, stating, “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.” Kalyan further questioned the selective outrage, saying, “The WB Police swiftly acted, taking action against Sharmistha. 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?”
Kolkata Police, however, defended their actions by asserting that the arrest was conducted lawfully and in accordance with due process. The police department released a statement clarifying that several attempts were made to serve legal notices to Panoli, but she was allegedly absconding on each occasion. As a result, a competent court issued a warrant for her arrest. She was subsequently apprehended in Gurugram, brought before a magistrate, and granted transit remand. The police further urged the public to refrain from spreading unverified or speculative content and to rely on authentic sources of information.
Sharmishtha Panoli has been sent to judicial custody until June 13. The case has quickly escalated into a significant political issue, touching upon critical themes like freedom of expression, communal harmony, and the perceived inconsistencies in the application of law. With prominent figures both in India and abroad now involved, the matter continues to dominate online discourse and media coverage.
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