The arrest of law student and social media influencer Sharmistha Panoli in Gurugram by the Kolkata Police has sparked widespread political and public reactions. Panoli was detained for a communally sensitive post related to Operation Sindoor, a topic that has drawn intense online discourse. Despite deleting the video and issuing an apology, she was taken into custody, raising questions about freedom of speech and selective legal action.

Pawan Kalyan, the Deputy Chief Minister of Andhra Pradesh and BJP ally, strongly criticized the arrest. Taking to X (formerly Twitter), he questioned why leaders who insult Sanatana Dharma face no consequences, while individuals like Panoli are arrested despite apologizing. “Where is the outrage when our faith is called ‘Gandha Dharm’? Where is their apology? Where is their swift arrest?” he asked, emphasizing that secularism must be a two-way street.

The controversy also reignited tensions around previous incidents where political figures made disparaging remarks about Hindu beliefs. Pawan Kalyan shared a video of West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, in which she accused the BJP of trying to spark communal tensions in the state. He responded by asserting, “Blasphemy must be condemned, always! Secularism isn’t a shield for some and a sword for others. It must be fair 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

International voices also joined the discussion. Dutch MP Geert Wilders, leader of the right-wing Party for Freedom, called the arrest a violation of free speech and urged Prime Minister Narendra Modi to intervene. “Don’t punish her for speaking the truth about Pakistan and Muhammad,” Wilders posted, tagging the PM. Wilders had previously supported Nupur Sharma during a similar controversy in 2022.

The arrest has become a flashpoint for broader debates surrounding religious sensitivity, political bias, and freedom of expression in India. Supporters argue that Panoli was expressing personal views on a sensitive national issue, while critics see such posts as inflammatory. The polarized reactions have added to the ongoing tension between state authorities and political opponents.

As the legal proceedings unfold, the case of Sharmistha Panoli continues to draw attention both within India and abroad. With prominent political figures like Pawan Kalyan voicing their dissent, the incident has evolved beyond a single arrest to a symbol of the larger debate over balanced secularism and the right to dissent in a democratic society.