Kolkata Cops Defend Influencer's Arrest Over Communal Post, BJP Slams TMC’s 'Appeasement Politics'

Last Updated:May 31, 2025, 22:39 IST

Sharmishta Panoli, 22, was arrested by Kolkata Police in Haryana's Gurugram for allegedly making communal remarks on an Instagram post linked to Operation Sindoor.

Sharmishta Panoli, 22, was arrested by Kolkata Police over an alleged communal post. (IANS)

Kolkata Police has defended its arrest of social media influencer Sharmishta Panoli, saying all legal procedures were duly adhered to and she was granted transit remand to Kolkata as per due process of law.

Sharmishta Panoli, a 22-year-old law student and an influencer, was arrested by Kolkata Police on Friday night in Haryana’s Gurugram for her alleged controversial remarks linked to India’s Operation Sindoor. She was brought to Kolkata on transit remand and produced before a court, which sent her to judicial custody till June 13.

Several users on social media came out in defence of Panoli and called her arrest unlawful. However, Kolkata Police issued a statement, saying certain narratives suggesting an unlawful arrest were “factually incorrect and misleading".

“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," it added.

Panoli had posted a video, which has now been deleted, in which she allegedly made communal remarks while accusing Bollywood actors of remaining silent on Operation Sindoor. Her video sparked widespread outrage online, with several users criticising her and sending threatening messages.

ALSO READ: Who Is Sharmishta Panoli, Influencer Arrested For Controversial Remarks On Op Sindoor? – News18

BJP Slams ‘Appeasement Politics’

Meanwhile, West Bengal’s Leader of Opposition and BJP leader Suvendu Adhikari criticised the Trinamool Congress for Panoli’s arrest, accusing the party of appealing to a “certain community" for their vote banks.

Speaking to reporters, Adhikari said, “FIR was filed against Mahua Moitra also. She made derogatory comments about Goddess Kali. Was any action taken? What did their (TMC) MP, Saayoni Ghosh, post regarding Mahadev? Was any action taken? There have been so many FIRs against Firhad Hakim, but there has been no action."

“The action is only taken against Sanatanis. Everyone here has a licence to abuse Sanatana… This is appeasement politics. A certain community is their vote bank and this is for appeasement," he added.

Andhra Pradesh Deputy Chief Minister Pawan Kalyan said Panoli had owned up to her mistake and apologised. He lambasted the TMC for “deep, searing pain" when the party MPs mock Sanatana Dharma. “Where is the outrage when our faith is called ‘Gandha Dharm’? Where is their apology? Where is their swift arrest?" he 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," Kalyan added.

BJP MP and actress Kangana Ranaut also came out in Panoli’s defence on her Instagram story. “I agree that Sharmishta used some unpleasant words for her expression, but such words most youngsters use these days. She apologised for her statements and that should be enough, no need to bully and harass her further. She should be released immediately," Ranaut said.

Aveek Banerjee

Aveek Banerjee is a Senior Sub Editor at News18. Based in Noida with a Master's in Global Studies, Aveek has more than three years of experience in digital media and news curation, specialising in international...Read More

Aveek Banerjee is a Senior Sub Editor at News18. Based in Noida with a Master's in Global Studies, Aveek has more than three years of experience in digital media and news curation, specialising in international...

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