Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) Member of Parliament Kangana Ranaut on Sunday condemned the arrest of content creator Sharmishta Panoli by the West Bengal Police, calling it harassment. She urged the Mamata Banerjee-led government not to turn West Bengal into “North Korea.”
Sharmishta Panoli was detained late Friday night in Gurugram, Haryana, by Kolkata Police for allegedly hurting religious sentiments through her ‘communal’ remarks in videos she posted on social media, which have since been deleted. Following her arrest, she was brought from Gurugram to Kolkata on Saturday and sent to judicial custody until June 13.
Responding to the arrest, Kangana Ranaut expressed strong disapproval, stating that harassing an individual under the pretext of law and order is unjust. “When someone has already apologised and deleted the post, putting her behind bars, torturing her, destroying her career, and questioning her character is very wrong. Such treatment should never happen to any daughter,” Kangana said.
She appealed to the West Bengal government to refrain from turning the state into a “North Korea,” emphasizing democratic rights. “Everyone has democratic rights. She has apologised for her indecent remarks. Her comments were general, and today’s generation commonly uses such language in both English and Hindi. She should be released soon because she is a very young woman with her entire career and life ahead of her,” Kangana added on Sunday.
Support for Sharmishta Panoli has also come from other political leaders. Andhra Pradesh Deputy Chief Minister Pawan Kalyan on Saturday called upon the West Bengal Police to act fairly in the case. While affirming that “blasphemy must be condemned,” he cautioned against using secularism selectively. “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,” Pawan Kalyan stated in a post on X.
Meanwhile, West Bengal Assembly Leader of the Opposition and BJP leader Suvendu Adhikari criticised the ruling Trinamool Congress (TMC) for the arrest, alleging that such action is targeted only against “Sanatanis” — followers of the ancient Hindu tradition. The case has sparked a broader debate on freedom of speech, religious sensitivity, and political bias in West Bengal, with calls growing louder for Sharmishta Panoli’s release.
Also Read: Influencer held over 'communal post' on Op Sindoor, sent to JC
Follow us
