‘Hate speech unacceptable': TMC leader Kunal Ghosh after Sharmistha Panoli denied interim bail
Hours after social media influencer Sharmishtha Panoli's interim bail request was denied by the Calcutta high court on Tuesday, Trinamool Congress leader Kunal Ghosh said that 'hate speech' of any kind is 'unacceptable'.
While speaking about an FIR on Wajahat Khan, the man whose police complaint led to Panoli's arrest, Ghosh clarified his party's stance on the matter. 'This is entirely a legal matter. Our position is very clear — whether it's on social media or in society at large, hate speech of any kind is unacceptable. If anyone engages in it, appropriate legal action must be taken,' he told ANI.
Ghosh's remarks come after the Calcutta high court denied interim bail to Sharmistha Panoli citing that freedom of speech does not mean one can hurt some other person's or community's sentiments.
Also read: Man who accused Sharmishta Panoli goes 'missing' after multiple cases against him: Report
Justice Partha Sarathi Chatterjee, who presided over the matter and denied interim bail to Panoli, said, "Look, we have freedom of speech, but that doesn't mean you will go on to hurt others. Our country is diverse, with people from different castes, creeds, and religions. We must be cautious by saying this. So, day after tomorrow. Heavens will not fall."
'This video was made on social media, it was heard, and this incident has led to a section of people's sentiments being hurt,' he was quoted as saying by Live Law.
Sharmistha Panoli is a social media influencer who was arrested last week over her allegedly communal remarks in a video. The remarks were linked to Operation Sindoor. After facing backlash, Panoli had deleted the post and also issued an apology, however, she was arrested by the West Bengal Police from Haryana's Gurugram last week.
Panoli is currently in judicial custody till June 13. Her lawyer, Md Samimuddin, said that the HC has directed the police to produce the case diary so that the "bail hearing can be held on June 5." He added that the high court has directed that no fresh FIR should be filed against Panoli regarding the same case and has also asked authorities to ensure basic amenities are provided to her at the correctional facility.
'We are hopeful of getting bail on the 5th," he said.
With ANI inputs
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Mint
24 minutes ago
- Mint
Mahua Moitra marries ex- BJD MP Pinaki Misra: Who is firebrand TMC leader's husband?
It's official now. Trinamool Congress Member of Parliament (MP) Mahua Moitra has married senior Biju Janata Dal (BJD) leader Pinaki Misra. The wedding reportedly took place on May 3 in Germany. Moitra confirmed the wedding in a post on X thanking people for 'love and wishes' Born in 1959, Misra is a known politician who has been an MP four times. He was elected to Lok Sabha from Puri in Odisha for the first time in 1996 when he defeated defeating then-Union Minister Braja Kishore Tripathy. Misra was re-elected again in 2009, 2014 and 2019. A senior Advocate in the Supreme Court of India, Misra has had an illustrious political and legal career spanning nearly three decades. Misra, 65, holds BA(Hons) History from St Stephen's College, Delhi and LLB from Faculty of Law, University of Delhi. Moitra is his second wife. He was earlier married to Sangita Misra and has one daughter and one son. Moitra is his second wife. Misra has been member of the Parliamentary Committee on External Affairs, subordinate legislation and Civil Aviation. Misra specialises in Corporate Law, Foreign Exchange, Customs and Excise Laws, Mining related Laws, Company Laws, Environmental Laws and Constitutional Laws. Misra played soccer, hockey and cricket during school and college days and was captain of St Stephen`s College Football Team. Misra has travelled to over 30 countries so far. In 2013, he travelled to Sri Lanka as part of the Indian Parliamentary delegation led by the Lok Sabha speaker at the Commonwealth Parliamentary Conference. The same year he was in Austria as part of the Indian Parliamentary delegation. The Misra family controled companies including Ocean Grand Resorts and Hotels Pvt. Ltd, Jupiter Estates Pvt. Ltd, White Lily Estates Pvt. Ltd and Janpath Properties Pvt. Ltd. Misra had stakes in Brady Telesoft Pvt. Ltd and WH Brady and Co. Ltd. too. Moitra, a former investment banker, is TMC from Kirshnanagar in West Bengal. Before becoming MP, Moitra served as an MLA from Karimpur before winning the Krishnanagar Lok Sabha seat in 2019 as a TMC candidate. Though expelled from Parliament in 2023 over a controversy, she made a strong comeback by winning again in 2024. Known widely for her viral 'early signs of fascism' speech, Moitra has also held key roles in the party and was previously married to Danish financier Lars Brorson. She later dated advocate Jai Anant Dehadrai. TMC MP Saayoni Ghosh also wished the newly-wed couple. 'Congratulations Mm & Pm… Wishing you a lifetime of love and laughter,' she said.
Time of India
27 minutes ago
- Time of India
Uttarakhand CM Dhami plants Sita Ashoka sapling under 'Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam' campaign at his CMO residence
Uttarakhand CM Dhami plants Sita Ashoka sapling under 'Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam' campaign at his CMO residence (ANI) DEHRADUN: Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami on Thursday planted a Sita Ashoka sapling at the Chief Minister's residence on the occasion of World Environment Day as part of the "Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam" campaign, according to the release statement. On this occasion, the chief minister called upon the state's people to participate in this holy work and serve nature while respecting their mother. This campaign is dedicated to maternal respect and environmental protection, in which every person is encouraged to plant a tree in their mother's name. Forest and environment minister Subodh Uniyal and chief secretary Anand Bardhan also participated in the event by planting trees. Earlier today, Dhami greeted people on World Environment Day and urged them to participate in the 'Ek Ped Maa ke Naam' (One tree in the name of mother) by planting at least one tree and protecting the environment. " "Conservation of nature and environment is both our cultural heritage and responsibility. Under the leadership and guidance of the respected Prime Minister Narendra Modi ji, the Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam campaign has been started to promote environmental conservation," Dhami said in a post on X. "Let us all promote this campaign and plant a tree in the name of Mother and ensure our participation in environmental protection," his post added. Prime Minister Narendra Modi launched Ek Ped Maa ke naam, an initiative that combines environmental conservation with a tribute to mothers, on June 5, 2024, exactly one year ago. According to the ministry of environment, Forest and Climate Change, at least 80 crore saplings were planted between June and September, through collaborative efforts from government agencies, local communities, and various stakeholders. The Prime Minister also greeted people today, urging them to deepen their efforts to protect the planet and complimenting people working at the grassroots level for environmental conservation.
News18
38 minutes ago
- News18
'Pakistan Dangles Nuclear Bogie To Get Us All Excited & Nervous': Shashi Tharoor In US
Last Updated: Tharoor, while speaking at a public discussion with former US ambassador Kenneth I Juster, urged against undue worry, reinforcing India's strategic nuclear doctrine During a recent public discussion with Kenneth I Juster, the former US ambassador to India, Congress MP Shashi Tharoor offered a nuanced perspective on the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack and India's robust response against Pakistan with Operation Sindoor, particularly addressing concerns about potential nuclear escalation. Tharoor began by providing context for his international engagements, noting his privilege in leading a ' multi-party delegation ', underscoring that while not encompassing all 41 parties in the Lok Sabha, his group represents five significant political entities. This delegation embarked on a tour of several nations, including Guyana, Panama, Colombia, Brazil, and the United States, to effectively communicate India's anti-terror stance. Tharoor highlighted a poignant moment during the team's visit to New York. 'When we first landed in New York, we went to the 9/11 memorial and that I think set the tone for the trip because we wanted to situate this problem right there in solidarity with victims of terrorism from around the world," he said. Transitioning to the immediate aftermath of the Pahalgam attack and India's response, Tharoor dismissed any suggestion of nuclear escalation, terming it 'laughable". He said that the incident fell 'so far short of anything remotely approaching to a nuclear threshold". Tharoor attributed such fears to what he termed a 'nuclear bogie" often dangled by 'our Pakistani friends to get all of us excited and anxious". To substantiate his argument, Tharoor drew parallels with ongoing global conflicts. 'I mean, we have a nuclear power engaged in a war for 2.5 years in Europe, and no one has talked about nukes yet. Why would 2.5 days in India suddenly lead to fears of nuclear escalation?" he said, pointing to the Russia-Ukraine war. He further reminded the audience of the historical context of India-Pakistan relations, noting four past wars between the two nations. He pointed to the Kargil War of 1999, which occurred after both countries had declared themselves nuclear powers and lasted for a month, yet 'nobody talked about nukes". Tharoor concluded by urging against undue worry, reinforcing India's strategic nuclear doctrine: 'India, by the way, has already declared its policy of 'No First Use'." This policy, he implied, serves as a strong deterrent against any preemptive nuclear action, ensuring that India would not be the one to 'brandish a nuclear threat". (With PTI inputs) First Published: June 05, 2025, 20:08 IST
