Dutch Politician Calls for Release of Arrested Influencer
Geert Wilders, a prominent Dutch parliamentarian and leader of the right-wing Party for Freedom, has voiced strong support for Sharmistha Panoli, a 22-year-old Indian social media influencer recently arrested by Kolkata Police. Wilders condemned the arrest as a violation of freedom of speech and has urged Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi to intervene for her release.
Wilders' statement on social media highlighted:
- "Free the brave Sharmistha Panoli!"
- "It is a disgrace for freedom of speech that she was arrested."
- "Do not punish her for speaking the truth about Pakistan and Muhammad."
Background on the Arrest
Sharmistha Panoli, a law student, was taken into custody following videos she posted on social media that contained abusive and communally sensitive content. The posts also criticized Bollywood actors for their silence during Operation Sindoor, India's retaliatory action after the Pahalgam terror attack that resulted in the deaths of 26 civilians.
The arrest triggered political debates, with the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and allied groups accusing the West Bengal government, led by Mamata Banerjee, of failing to maintain communal harmony. The FIR against Panoli cites sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita related to promoting religious enmity, deliberate insults intended to provoke peace breaches, and outraging religious feelings. Following her arrest, she was remanded to judicial custody for 14 days.
Political Reactions Surrounding the Case
Jana Kalyan Sena leader Pawan Kalyan weighed in, noting that although Panoli's words were "regrettable and hurtful," she acknowledged her mistake, removed the content, and apologized. He contrasted this response with the actions of some Trinamool Congress (TMC) leaders who, according to him, have mocked Hindu traditions without facing consequences.
In response to BJP allegations, Mamata Banerjee accused the party of stoking communal tensions in West Bengal and rejected the party's views as contradictory to Hindu principles.
Kalyan further emphasized that blasphemy should be universally condemned and urged the West Bengal Police to apply the law impartially, highlighting the need for consistent enforcement across all communities.
Kolkata Police Clarify Legal Procedure and Call for Responsible Information Sharing
Kolkata Police issued a statement addressing claims of unlawful arrest, asserting that all legal protocols were followed meticulously. They stated attempts were made to notify Panoli, but she was reportedly evading service of notice, leading to a court-issued arrest warrant. She was lawfully arrested in Gurgaon and produced before magistrates per due process.
The police call on the public to avoid spreading unverified information and to refer to authoritative sources for updates.
Aftermath and Apology
Shortly after the controversy erupted, Panoli deleted the contentious posts and issued a public apology.
