From Dutch MP to Pawan Kalyan, right-wing support pours in for Sharmistha Panoli

Sharmistha Panoli, a Pune-based law student, social media content creator, and influencer, who has been arrested by Kolkata Police for a communally charged post after Operation Sindoor, has found support from two very different quarters.

While Dutch MP Geert Wilders has called her arrest a “disgrace for freedom of speech” and appealed to Prime Minister Narendra Modi to defend her rights, Andhra Pradesh Deputy Chief Minister Pawan Kalyan has appealed to Kolkata Police to act “justly” in the case.

Also read: Pune law student arrested for offensive remarks on Operation Sindoor

Dutch MP’s support

Wilders, a far-right politician, shared a photo of Panoli etched with the words “All eyes on Sharmistha”, and wrote on X: “Free the brave Sharmishta Panoli! It’s a disgrace for the freedom of speech that she was arrested. Don’t punish her for speaking the truth about Pakistan and Muhammad. Help her @narendramodi”

Panoli, 22, allegedly posted a (now-deleted) video slamming certain Bollywood actors for not speaking up during Operation Sindoor. She allegedly used derogatory words against Prophet Muhammad and a particular community. She was arrested from Haryana’s Gurugram on Saturday and remanded in judicial custody for 14 days.

Wilders’s backing of Nupur Sharma

Wilders had in 2022 backed BJP’s Nupur Sharma, when her remarks on the Prophet had sparked a similar controversy.

“I sent a personal message of support to the brave Nupur Sharma, who is threatened by Islamists for years now only for speaking the truth. Freedom-loving people all over the world should support her. I hope to meet her one day while visiting India,” Wilders had posted on X on that occasion.

Also read: 'Spent 90 days in Pak, met ISI officials': Delhi Police arrest Rajasthan man for espionage

Pawan’s message to cops

Pawan on Saturday (May 31) asserted that “blasphemy must be condemned” but secularism should not be used as a “shield”.

“Blasphemy must be condemned, always! Secularism isn’t a shield for some and a sword for others. It must be a two-way street. West Bengal Police, the nation is watching. Act justly for all,” he said in a post on X.

The actor-turned-politician said Sharmistha spoke out “regrettable and hurtful words on some” with regard to Operation Sindoor. She has more than 175,000 followers across X and Instagram.

“She owned her mistake, deleted the video and apologized. The WB (West Bengal) Police swiftly acted, taking action against Sharmishta (sic),” said Pawan. “But what about the deep, searing pain inflicted upon millions when the elected leaders, the TMC MPs mock Sanatana Dharma,” he argued.

“Where is the outrage when our faith is called ‘Gandha Dharm’? Where is their apology? Where is their swift arrest?” asked the founder of the Janasena Party, an ally of the BJP.

‘Not a democracy’

Panoli deleted the video and posted an unconditional apology, but an FIR was registered in Kolkata against her on charges of promoting enmity on grounds of religion, deliberate acts to outrage religious feelings, and intentional insult with intent to provoke breach of peace.

On her way out of the court, Sharmistha told reporters, “The way this harassment is being done in a democracy, this is not a democracy.”

Also read: NIA arrests CRPF personnel for spying for Pakistan

‘Action against Sanatanis’

Leader of Opposition in West Bengal Assembly, Suvendu Adhikari, also lashed out at the TMC government, alleging that “action is only taken against Sanatanis” in the state.

BJP IT Cell chief Amit Malviya seconded that, saying Panoli’s arrest reeked of hypocrisy. “This isn’t just about Bengal — this is about how a young Hindu woman is being targeted to appease a vote bank,” he claimed.

(With inputs from agencies)