Vote-Bank Vendetta: Political Row Erupts Over Influencer Sharmishta Panolis Arrest

A political row has erupted following the arrest of 22-year-old legislation pupil and social media influencer Sharmishta Panoli, with a number of leaders accusing the Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee-led West Bengal executive of working towards “vote-bank vendetta.”

Kolkata police arrested Panoli for allegedly making communal remarks whilst criticizing Bollywood actors for now not talking up on Operation Sindoor.

West Bengal BJP president and Union Minister Sukanta Majumdar termed Panoli’s arrest as “vote-bank vendetta” and a type of injustice. 

“Sharmistha Panoli, 22, law student, arrested for a now-deleted video and a public apology. No riots. No unrest. Yet Mamata Banerjee’s police acted overnight, not for justice, but for appeasement. But when TMC leaders insult Sanatan Dharma, call Jai Shri Ram a gaali, mock Maha Kumbh, and push communal poison — there’s no FIR, no arrest, no apology. This is not justice. This is vote-bank vendetta. India is watching,” Majumdar mentioned on X.

Leader of the Opposition within the West Bengal Legislative Assembly and BJP chief Suvendu Adhikari confident that the Nationalist Lawyers are taking over Sharmistha’s topic and can supply her with the most efficient felony protection. 

“Sharmistha Panoli, a 22-year-old law student and influencer, made a personal comment in wake of the Pahalgam Terrorist attack where Hindus were targeted selectively, which she later deleted and apologized for, yet was arrested by Kolkata Police from Gurgaon. @KolkataPolice, where is this same zeal when idols of Hindu deities are vandalized in West Bengal? When stone pelting happens on Ram Navami & Hanuman Jayanti Processions? I would like to assure everyone that the Nationalist Lawyers are taking up Sharmistha’s matter, and the best legal defense will be provided to her. I hope that she will be free from the clutches of the vile & vicious Mamata Police,” Adhikari mentioned on X.

Andhra Deputy Chief Minister Pawan Kalyan mentioned Panoli had apologised for her remarks however was once nonetheless punished, and he instructed the West Bengal police to behave justly.

“During Operation Sindoor, Sharmistha, a law student, spoke out; her words regrettable and hurtful to some. She owned her mistake, deleted the video, and apologized. 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? 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,” Kalyan mentioned on X.

As in step with media experiences, the Kolkata police have filed an FIR in opposition to the influencer below sections 196(1)(a) selling enmity between other teams on grounds of faith, race, native land, place of dwelling, language, caste, or neighborhood; 299 (planned and malicious acts meant to outrage the non secular emotions of any elegance of voters); 352 (intentional insult with the intent to impress a breach of peace); 353(1)(c) (statements that incite public mischief) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita.

Indian Armed Forces introduced Operation Sindoor in retaliation for Pahalgam terror assault, during which 26 blameless civilians had been gunned down in chilly blood. Under Operation Sindoor, India hit 9 terror websites within Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Jammu and Kashmir (PoJK), killing 100 terrorists.