Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) Member of Parliament and actor Kangana Ranaut has called on the West Bengal government to release 22-year-old law student and social media influencer Sharmishta Panoli, who was recently arrested by Kolkata Police for allegedly making communal remarks online.
Panoli, who gained visibility during the “Operation Sindoor” campaign for her strong nationalist views, had criticized certain Bollywood personalities for their silence during India’s recent military operations. Although she deleted the contentious video on May 15 and issued an unconditional apology, she was taken into custody from Gurugram on Friday following a police complaint. A court has remanded her to 14-day judicial custody.
Speaking to news agency ANI, Ranaut expressed concern over the state's approach, saying, "Harassing someone under the pretext of law and order after they have issued an apology and removed the post is unjust. Subjecting a young woman to incarceration, public scrutiny, and reputational damage is deeply troubling. This could happen to any daughter of the country."
The MP further cautioned the West Bengal administration against adopting an authoritarian stance. "I urge the government not to turn West Bengal into North Korea. Democratic rights must be preserved. Sharmishta has apologized, and her remarks, while inappropriate, reflect a form of expression that is common among today’s youth. She deserves a chance to correct her course—not a prison sentence," she added.
The reference to North Korea, known for its rigid authoritarian regime under Kim Jong Un, underscores concerns about diminishing space for free expression in democratic India.
The arrest has drawn wide attention online and triggered support from political leaders, including those from the BJP and abroad. Critics have accused the state government of selective enforcement of the law, pointing out the absence of communal unrest linked to Panoli's post.
BJP IT Cell head Amit Malviya weighed in on social media, stating, "Sharmishta Panoli, just 22 years old, has been arrested and placed in judicial custody over a video she had deleted and apologized for. This hasty action by the Kolkata Police suggests a troubling bias. If law and order is truly the concern, will similar action be taken against TMC leaders who have made inflammatory remarks against the Hindu community?"
The incident has reignited the national debate on free speech, the limits of online expression, and the impartiality of law enforcement.
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