The West Bengal Police has arrested social media ‘Content Creator’ Sharmishtha Panoli, which has created a new political controversy in the state. Andhra Pradesh Deputy Chief Minister Pawan Kalyan has strongly objected to Panoli’s arrest and directly attacked West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee.
Pawan Kalyan raised strong objection
Kalyan has shared a video expressing his displeasure over the issue, in which Mamata Banerjee is allegedly seen calling Sanatan Dharma ‘dirty religion’. Pawan Kalyan has raised the question that when the leaders of the ruling party make such comments about Sanatan Dharma, then why there is no action, while a social media creator has an immediate arrest stick. Describing secularism as a two -way way, he has demanded equal justice for all.
What did Pawan Kalyan write
Pawan Kalyan, leader of the Jan Kalyan Sena, resorted to X to comment on the arrest of the student. He asked, ‘During Operation Sindoor, the law student Sharmishtha spoke, her words were regrettable and some people were to hurt. He accepted his mistake, deleted the video and apologized. The West Bengal Police took action against Sharmishtha and took immediate action. But when TMC MPs and elected leaders make fun of Sanatan Dharma, then what is deep, sharp pain to millions of people? When our religion is called ‘smell religion’, where is the anger? Where is their apology? Where is his quick arrest? ‘
Kalyan said, ‘Ishaninda should always be condemned! Secularism is not a shield for some people and a sword for others. This should be a two-way route. West Bengal Police is watching the nation. Work in a fair manner for all. ‘
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… pic.twitter.com/YBotf34YYe
– pawan kalyan (@pawankalyan) May 31, 2025
Shubhendu Adhikari also targeted Mamta government
Apart from Pawan Kalyan, the Leader of Opposition in the Bengal Legislative Assembly Shubhendu Adhikari has also strongly condemned the arrest. The official has alleged that the Trinamool Congress (TMC) government is taking select action against “Sanatanis”. He described the arrest as part of the “vote-bank politics” and cited the old statements in which TMC leaders made comments hurting the sentiments of Hindus, which did not take any action.
Why Sharmistha Panoli’s arrest
The arrest has been in case of posting a video related to ‘Operation Sindoor’, in which Panoli allegedly used objectionable and communal language and also targeted Bollywood actors. However, before the arrest, Panoli had removed the video and also apologized. Despite this, the Kolkata Police arrested him from Gurugram, about which there has been a fierce debate in political circles.