Dutch MP Wilders urges Modi to secure release of influencer Sharmistha Panoli

Following the arrest and 14-day judicial custody of law student Sharmistha Panoli over a deleted social media video deemed hate speech, international voices like Dutch MP Geert Wilders have called on Prime Minister Narendra Modi to intervene. The case has sparked widespread debate on freedom of expression, selective law enforcement, and communal tensions in West Bengal.

Sources:
NDTVBarandbenchIndianexpress+5
Updated 44m ago
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Sources: NDTVBarandbenchIndianexpress+5
Dutch MP Geert Wilders has called on Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi to ensure the release of Sharmistha Panoli, a 22-year-old law student and social media influencer arrested by Kolkata Police for allegedly promoting communal disharmony through a video that was later deleted.

The arrest followed a complaint invoking sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita related to promoting enmity on religious grounds and deliberate acts to outrage religious feelings. Panoli apologized publicly and removed the video, but was still remanded to 14 days judicial custody.

The case has ignited political debate, with BJP leaders like Kangana Ranaut condemning the arrest as harassment and an attack on free speech. BJP co-incharge Amit Malviya accused the ruling Trinamool Congress (TMC) government of selective law enforcement to appease vote banks.

Bar Council of India Chairman and Rajya Sabha MP Manan Kumar Mishra criticized the arrest as a "blatant assault on freedom of expression" and an "absolute failure of justice." He accused the West Bengal government and Kolkata Police of "excessive, selective, and politically motivated" actions, citing historical examples of state complicity in violence against specific groups.

Kolkata Police defended the arrest, stating that hate speech targeting religious communities is punishable and should not be misconstrued as freedom of expression under Article 19(1)(a) of the Constitution.

The controversy highlights tensions between freedom of speech, communal sensitivities, and political dynamics in West Bengal, with calls for a fair trial and an end to perceived double standards in law enforcement.

Key quotes:
"I stand firmly with Sharmistha Panoli. Her arrest and judicial custody over a now-deleted social media video — despite her immediate apology — reflects a complete failure of justice. This is a blatant attack on free speech." — Manan Kumar Mishra

"Hate speech & abusive language should not be misconstrued as freedom of speech & expression as enshrined in Article 19(1)(a) of the Constitution." — Kolkata Police

Stats:
- Panoli, 22, remanded to 14 days judicial custody.
- FIR filed on May 15 at Garden Reach Police Station.
- Sections invoked relate to promoting enmity on religious grounds and deliberate acts to outrage religious feelings.
Sources: NDTVTimesofindia
Dutch MP Geert Wilders has urged Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi to secure the release of Sharmistha Panoli, a 22-year-old law student and social media influencer arrested by Kolkata Police for allegedly promoting communal disharmony through a now-deleted video. The case has sparked political and legal controversy in India.
Section 1 background
The Headline

Influencer Panoli arrested over communal video; Dutch MP urges Modi

Geert Wilders, a member of the Dutch Parliament and the leader of the right-wing Party for Freedom, has urged Prime Minister Narendra Modi to ensure the influencer Sharmishta Panoli is freed.
Geert Wilders
Dutch Parliament member
NDTV
Key Facts
  • Sharmistha Panoli, a 22-year-old law student and social media influencer, posted a video with abusive and communally charged language targeting Bollywood actors during Operation Sindoor.NDTVTimesofindia
  • Panoli deleted the video and issued a public apology on May 15, 2025 following the uproar caused by her post.NDTVTimesofindia
  • An FIR was registered against Panoli under Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita sections related to promoting enmity on grounds of religion, deliberate acts to outrage religious feelings, and intentional insult with intent to provoke breach of peace.NDTVTimesofindia
  • Kolkata Police arrested Panoli and a court in Alipore remanded her to 14 days judicial custody over the alleged hate speech and communal remarks.NDTVTimesofindiaLivelaw
  • Kolkata Police defended the arrest, stating it was due to a video allegedly insulting religious beliefs and promoting communal disharmony, and clarified it was not about political views.NDTVTimesofindia
Key Stats at a Glance
Age of Sharmistha Panoli
22 years
NDTV
Judicial custody duration for Panoli
14 days
Livelaw
Date of Panoli's public apology
15 May
Timesofindia

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Background Context

Legal and political backlash over Panoli's arrest

I stand firmly with Sharmistha Panoli. Her arrest and judicial custody over a now-deleted social media video — despite her immediate apology — reflects a complete failure of justice. This is a blatant attack on free speech.
Manan Kumar Mishra
Bar Council of India Chairman and Rajya Sabha MP
Indiatoday
It is deeply troubling that the same government that opposed Operation Sindoor now seeks to silence a young law student for questioning such similar double standards.
Manan Kumar Mishra
Bar Council of India Chairman and Rajya Sabha MP
Barandbench
History bears witness to the atrocities and violence perpetrated against specific groups in West Bengal, often with the complicity or direct involvement of government entities and political actors.
Manan Kumar Mishra
Bar Council of India Chairman and Rajya Sabha MP
When someone has apologised and deleted the post, but putting her in prison, torturing her, ending her career and raising questions on her character is very wrong.
Kangana Ranaut
BJP MP
1
Blasphemy must be condemned but secularism should not be used as a shield.
Pawan Kalyan
Andhra Pradesh Deputy Chief Minister
1
Key Facts
  • Bar Council of India Chairman Manan Kumar Mishra condemned Panoli's arrest as a blatant assault on freedom of expression and called it an absolute failure of justice.BarandbenchIndiatoday
  • Mishra accused the West Bengal government and Kolkata Police of excessive, selective, and politically motivated action, alleging systemic bias targeting individuals from particular communities while ignoring serious acts of violence or hate speech by others.Barandbench
  • Mishra cited historical atrocities in West Bengal such as the Marichjhanpi massacre, Nandigram violence, and Murshidabad riots as examples of state complicity and impunity enjoyed by perpetrators.
  • BJP leaders Kangana Ranaut and Suvendu Adhikari criticized the West Bengal government for selective and politically motivated action against Panoli, accusing the ruling Trinamool Congress of targeting 'Sanatanis' and appeasing vote banks.4DeccanheraldIndianexpress+1
  • Andhra Pradesh Deputy Chief Minister Pawan Kalyan urged just action, condemning blasphemy but warning against misuse of secularism as a shield.1
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