Dutch parliamentarian Geert Wilders, leader of the right-wing Party for Freedom, has expressed strong support for Sharmishta Panoli, the 22-year-old influencer recently arrested by Kolkata Police for communally inflammatory social media posts.
Describing the arrest as a “disgrace for freedom of speech,” Wilders called on Prime Minister Narendra Modi to secure her release. In a post on X, the Dutch MP stated, “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.” The accompanying image bore the caption, “All eyes on Sharmistha.”
Panoli, a law student, was detained for videos in which she allegedly used abusive language targeting 'religious' sentiments and Bollywood personalities for their silence over Operation Sindoor — India’s military response to the Pahalgam terror attack that claimed 28 lives.
Her arrest has ignited a political storm, with the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and allies condemning the Trinamool Congress (TMC) government in West Bengal. The First Information Report (FIR) alleges violations under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, including promoting enmity on religious grounds and deliberate insult with intent to provoke breach of peace. Panoli was remanded in judicial custody for 14 days following her court appearance.
Also read: Influencer held over 'communal post' on Op Sindoor, sent to JC
Jana Kalyan Sena leader Pawan Kalyan took to X to comment on the arrest, saying, “During Operation Sindoor, Sharmistha, a law student, spoke out, her words regrettable and hurtful to some. She owned her mistake, deleted the video and apologised. The WB Police swiftly acted, taking action against Sharmistha. But what about the deep, searing pain inflicted upon millions when elected leaders, MPs of TMC, mock Sanatana Dharma? Where is the outrage when our faith is called ‘Gandha Dharm’? Where is their apology? Where is their swift arrest?”
West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee accused the BJP of attempting to incite “communal riots through divisive politics” and condemned the party’s “ganda dharma” as antithetical to Hindu principles. Sharing a video of Ms Banerjee’s remarks, Mr Kalyan added, “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.”
The Kolkata Police dismissed claims of unlawful arrest as “factually incorrect and misleading,” clarifying that “all legal procedures were duly adhered to.” They added, “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.”
Following the controversy, Panoli deleted the offending posts and issued an apology.
Follow us
