‘Secularism must be two-way street': Pawan Kalyan slams TMC over influencer Sharmistha Panoli's arrest
As criticism intensifies over the arrest of law student Sharmistha Panoli by Kolkata Police, Pawan Kalyan, Andhra Pradesh Deputy Chief Minister and leader of NDA ally Telugu Desam Party (TDP) has weighed in, slamming the Trinamool Congress and calling for equal treatment under the law.
Kalyan backed Panoli, who was arrested for a now-deleted video allegedly containing communal remarks, stating that she had owned her mistake and publicly apologised. In a strong statement, he said secularism must be a two-way street and not a shield for some and a sword for others.
In a post on X, Kalyan wrote, '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 West Bengal 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?'
Kalyan further stated, '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.'
Panoli was arrested in Gurgaon on Friday by Kolkata Police over remarks in a video where she criticized Bollywood celebrities for remaining silent on 'Operation Sindoor.' She was brought to Kolkata on transit remand and produced before the Alipore court on Saturday.
The arrest has sparked a fresh political row between the BJP and the TMC, with several BJP leaders echoing Kalyan's sentiments.
Leader of Opposition in Bengal, Suvendu Adhikari, questioned the selective enforcement of law. 'TMC MP Mahua Moitra had said such disgraceful things against Goddess Kali; was any action taken against her even after 200 FIRs were filed? Their MP, Sayani Ghosh, had posted about Maha Dev. Was any action taken? So many FIRs against Firhad Hakim; was any action taken?'
Adhikari further said, 'Action is only taken against Sanatanis. I do not want to comment on what the girl (Panoli) has said, but the TMC is trying to appease a particular community for vote bank politics.'
Bengal BJP president and Union Minister Sukanta Majumdar also weighed in on social media: '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… mock Maha Kumbh, and push communal poison — there's no FIR, no arrest, no apology. This is not justice. This is vote-bank vendetta.'
Panoli has been remanded to judicial custody till June 13. Following widespread online backlash and threats in the comments section, she took down the post and issued a public apology.
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