Kolkata Police on Friday arrested 22-year-old Sharmishtha Panoli after multiple FIRs were filed against her over a controversial video on Operation Sindoor. Panoli was then produced before Alipore Court in Kolkata and she was remanded to 14-day judicial custody.
Who Is Sharmistha Panoli ? Arrested Over Op Sindoor Post
Why In News
- Kolkata Police on Friday arrested 22-year-old Sharmishtha Panoli after multiple FIRs were filed against her over a controversial video on Operation Sindoor. Panoli was then produced before Alipore Court in Kolkata and she was remanded to 14-day judicial custody.
- Panoli, who shared a video slamming some Bollywood actors over their alleged silence on Operation Sindoor, deleted the post and apologised after backlash. An FIR was, however, filed in Kolkata, and she was arrested on May 30.
Charges Against Her
- She has been charged under sections 196(1) (a) promoting enmity between different groups on grounds of religion, race, place of birth, residence, language, caste, or community, 299 (deliberate and malicious acts intended to outrage the religious feelings of any class of citizens), 352 ( intentional insult with the intent to provoke a breach of peace), 353(1)(c) (statements that incite public mischief) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita.
Who Is Sharmishtha Panoli?
- Sharmistha Panoli is a 22-year-old law student at a university in Pune Law University. She is also a popular influencer with over 175,000 followers across X and Instagram. Panoli is known for sharing her views on current issues and videos, often loaded with abusive words, have been going viral on social media.
- Panoli received massive backlash for her now-deleted video in which she slammed Bollywood actors, ‘The Khans’, for their alleged silence over India’s Operation Sindoor against terror camps in Pakistan and POK. The influencer used abusive language and made communal comments in her video, receiving massive backlash and death threats.
- Panoli was taken into custody reportedly on Friday night (May 30) for hurting religious sentiments through a video she posted on May 14. The video was in response to a question from a Pakistani follower about India’s military operation following the Pahalgam terror attack.
- She was accused of making derogatory remarks about Islam and Prophet Muhammad. She reportedly said, “Earlier, I used to think Nabi was delusional as he thought 72 hoors would be waiting for them in heaven, but this woman (a social media user) is even more delusional, she thinks India opened fire without any reason. Have you heard of the Pahalgam attack and other terrorists that your nation has been sponsoring? Should we not retaliate? We are not the devotees of Mahatma Gandhi anymore.”
Apology
- After facing criticism, Panoli deleted the video and issued an apology.
- She posted on X, “I do hereby tender my unconditional apology. Whatever was put are my personal feelings and I never intentionally wanted to hurt anybody, so if anybody is hurt, I’m sorry for the same. I expect co-operation and understanding. Henceforth, I will be cautious in my public post. Again, please accept my apologies.”
- However, a complaint had already been filed against her in Kolkata. She was served multiple notices but she failed to respond, as per the Kolkata Police.
- “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,” Kolkata Police said in a post on X.
Support She Got
- After her arrest, several political leaders and social media users came out in her support calling the move “unlawful”. BJP leaders Kangana Ranaut, Amit Malviya and Jan Sena’s Pawan Kalyan extended support to the influencer and slammed the Trinamool Congress.
- Taking to X (formerly Twitter), the far-right Dutch lawmaker shared a poster reading “All eyes on Sharmishta Panoli” and urged Prime Minister Narendra Modi to secure her release. “Free the brave Sharmishta Panoli! It’s a disgrace for freedom of speech that she was arrested. Don’t punish her for speaking the truth about Pakistan and Muhammad. Help her @narendramodi! @AmyMek,” Wilders posted.
