'Vote-Bank Vendetta': Political Row Erupts Over Influencer Sharmishta Panoli's Arrest

Last Updated:June 01, 2025, 11:18 IST

The arrest of 22-year-old law student Sharmishta Panoli for a deleted video has sparked a political row, with critics accusing the West Bengal government of selective action.

Panoli, a student from Pune known for her outspoken social media content, was arrested by Kolkata Police on Thursday from Gurugram.

The arrest of 22-year-old law student and social media influencer Sharmishta Panoli has triggered a major political row, with several leaders accusing the Mamata Banerjee-led West Bengal government of practising selective action and “appeasement politics".

Panoli, a student from Pune known for her outspoken social media content, often containing strong language, was arrested by West Police on Thursday from Haryana’s Gurugram. Her arrest came after the circulation of a now-deleted video in which she allegedly made communal remarks while criticising Bollywood actors for not speaking up on Operation Sindoor.

Police said the video contained “derogatory and disrespectful" language targeting a particular religious community. Panoli had later deleted the video and issued a public apology.

Panoli’s arrest drew sharp criticism from political leaders, who took to X to voice their condemnation.

West Bengal BJP President and Union Minister Sukanta Majumdar said the arrest was politically motivated, claiming, “Sharmistha Panoli, 22, law student, arrested for a now-deleted video and a public apology. No riots. No unrest. Yet Mamata Banerjee’s police acted overnight — not for justice, but for appeasement. But when TMC leaders insult Sanatan Dharma, call Jai Shri Ram a gaali, mock Maha Kumbh, and push communal poison — there’s no FIR, no arrest, no apology."

“This is not justice. This is vote-bank vendetta. India is watching," Majumdar added.

International voices also joined the debate, including Dutch MP Geert Wilders, who posted on X: “Free the brave Sharmishta 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. Help her @narendramodi!."

Andhra Pradesh Deputy Chief Minister Pawan Kalyan also spoke out, saying Panoli had apologised for her words but was still punished. “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? 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," he wrote.

Maharashtra BJP leader Nitesh Rane als wrote: “Ramgiri Maharaj speaks the truth..it’s a problem.. Sharmistha speaks the truth.. apologies about it.. deletes the posts.. it’s still a problem.. but when Sanatha Dharma is attacked every day by the WB TMC leaders .. there is no apology.. why ? Then the secular kidas come out to give lectures.. where is the so called Sarv dharma Sama Bhav gone then ? Jago HINDU Jago!"

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News politics 'Vote-Bank Vendetta': Political Row Erupts Over Influencer Sharmishta Panoli's Arrest