Kolkata, 2 June (H.S.) — The arrest of social media influencer and law student Sharmistha Panoli has sparked a growing wave of legal and political action across India, with the Calcutta High Court now set to hear the matter on June 13. BJP Bengal President and Union Minister Sukanta Majumdar shared the update on social media platform X on Monday, although he did not specify who filed the petition.
Majumdar also called for unity, writing, We want the release of Sanatani Sharmistha, and urged supporters to rally online under the hashtag #IStandWithSharmishta.
Panoli, a 22-year-old law student from Pune, was arrested by Kolkata Police from Gurugram on May 30, following an Instagram video in which she allegedly made derogatory remarks about Islam while speaking about Operation Sindoor. Her video quickly went viral, triggering a complaint from AIMIM spokesperson Waris Pathan, who tagged Union Home Minister Amit Shah, demanding action.
Despite Panoli issuing an unconditional public apology on May 15, clarifying that her intent was not to hurt religious sentiments, Kolkata Police moved forward with the arrest, citing multiple ignored notices. Authorities claimed a court-issued arrest warrant was obtained after she and her family failed to respond to summons.
She is now in judicial custody until June 13, booked under sections 196(1)(A), 299, 352, and 353(1)(C) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS).
The arrest has ignited strong reactions from political leaders across party lines. BJP leaders including Suvendu Adhikari, IT cell head Amit Malviya, as well as MP and actress Kangana Ranaut, Andhra Pradesh Deputy CM Pawan Kalyan, and Congress MP Karti Chidambaram, have questioned the Mamata Banerjee-led West Bengal government's handling of the case.
Bar Council of India Chairman and Rajya Sabha MP Manan Kumar Mishra condemned the arrest, calling it an assault on freedom of speech, and demanded Panoli’s immediate release.
Support for Panoli has also emerged internationally. Dutch MP Geert Wilders denounced the arrest on X, calling it a violation of democratic principles and freedom of expression, and appealed directly to Prime Minister Narendra Modi for her immediate release.
As the issue gains traction, BJP leaders in Bengal are framing the case as part of a broader ideological battle. Majumdar urged supporters to “educate and awaken the 30 percent,” in an apparent reference to his party's voter outreach strategy.
Hindusthan Samachar / Satya Prakash Singh
