Latest news with #Sharmistha
Time of India
a day ago
- Politics
- Time of India
Rupali Ganguly slams West Bengal police over Sharmistha Panoli's arrest, questions her treatment in custody; here's what we know
Actor Rupali Ganguly, known for speaking up on social issues, expressed concern over the treatment of influencer and law student Sharmistha Panoli, who was arrested by Kolkata Police. Ganguly responded to a lawyer's post detailing Sharmistha's health issues and custodial conditions. Questions over custody conditions Sharmistha's lawyer, Md Samimuddin, claimed that his client suffers from kidney stones and alleged that hygiene standards in custody were not being maintained. He also stated that Sharmistha was not being allowed to access newspapers or magazines. A court petition has reportedly been filed requesting basic rights for her. Rupali's criticism of police Responding to the lawyer's post, Ganguly questioned the role of the West Bengal Police, saying, 'Has West Bengal Police, so much under the pressure of Mamata Banerjee, that they have forgotten even basic humanity?' She further asked, 'Why is this girl being treated as if she is a murderer or a gangster?' She tagged the National Commission for Women (NCW) and the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC), requesting them to step in. Background of the arrest Sharmistha Panoli was arrested by Kolkata Police from Gurugram on May 30. The arrest followed a video where she allegedly made communal remarks while replying to a post about Operation Sindoor. Following criticism, she deleted the post and issued an apology. Has West Bengal Police, So much under the pressure of Mamata Banerjee, that they have forgotten even basic humanity? why is this girl being treated as if she is a murderer or a Gangster? I Request @NCWIndia & @India_NHRC to intervene in this matter#sharmistha Apology issued In a post on X, Sharmistha wrote, 'I do hereby tender my UNCONDITIONAL APOLOGY. Whatever was put are my personal feelings and I never intentionally wanted to hurt anybody... Henceforth, I will be cautious in my public post. Again, please accept my apologies.' Police response to allegations Following criticism of the arrest being termed 'unlawful', Kolkata Police reportedly stated that due legal procedures were followed during the arrest. Sharmistha remains in judicial custody until June 13.
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India.com
2 days ago
- Politics
- India.com
Sharmishta Panoli Row: Why Bengal Polices Action Reflects Selective Targeting
West Bengal Police are facing severe criticism for alleged double standards in their handling of recent cases, drawing parallels to concerns about selective enforcement seen elsewhere. Critics point to two contrasting incidents: the alleged inaction in a case involving an attack on Hindus in Siliguri and the swift arrest of a student, Sharmistha, for offensive remarks against a specific religion. In Siliguri, despite attacks on Hindus, police are accused of being inactive, with perpetrators reportedly roaming free. Conversely, the Kolkata Police arrested 22-year-old Sharmistha from Gurugram, 1500 kilometers away, for allegedly making objectionable comments about a particular religion. In today's DNA, Rahul Sinha Managing editor of Zee News decorded why Bengal police's action in Sharmishta Panoli case reflects selective targeting Watch Today's Full Episode: देखिए DNA LIVE @RahulSinhaTV के साथ#DNA #DNAWithRahulSinha #OperationSpiderWeb #RussiaUkraineWar #ZeeLive — Zee News (@ZeeNews) June 2, 2025 The controversy extends beyond the police to the complainant against Sharmistha, Wajahat Khan. Allegations have surfaced regarding Khan's own track record of offensive social media posts concerning Hindu deities, which police have seemingly ignored. Furthermore, Khan is reportedly linked to the "Sky Foundation," an NGO with alleged connections to Pakistan and an office in Karachi. While Sharmistha remains in judicial custody for 14 days, Wajahat Khan, despite his alleged derogatory comments, remains free. This has led to accusations that West Bengal Police are acting based on religious bias. The Bar Council of India has also questioned the "selective pattern" of the police and the Mamata Banerjee government. Concerns have also been raised about the appointment of Inspector Naushad Akhtar as the investigating officer in Sharmistha's case. Political reactions, including a shared old video of Mamata Banerjee by Andhra Pradesh Deputy Chief Minister Pawan Kalyan, further fuel accusations of appeasement politics.
Hans India
2 days ago
- Politics
- Hans India
Sharmistha arrest: NHRC member Priyank Kanoongo seeks report from West Bengal
New Delhi: The NHRC on Monday sought a report within 10 days from the West Bengal government and police on the safety of the jailed law student-cum-creator Sharmistha Panoli, while questioning the state authorities on her arrest formalities. NHRC Member Priyank Kanoongo told IANS, 'A notice was issued to the Chief Secretary and police chief on receiving a complaint alleging irregularities in the procedure adopted by police to arrest Panoli and take her on transit remand.' 'We have sought a report within 10 days,' Kanoongo said. Twenty-two-year-old Sharmistha was arrested on Saturday in Haryana's Gurugram by Kolkata Police for posting videos containing communal remarks during Operation Sindoor. Earlier, Bollywood star Kangana Ranaut on Sunday called for the early release of Panoli, calling her arrest over a now-deleted social media post 'unjustified'. Kangana, known for essaying characters of strong women in her films, also expressed concerns over the damage caused to the influencer-cum-law student's career after her arrest by Kolkata Police. 'No girl or daughter should be subjected to such high-handedness,' said Ranaut while talking to the media on the sidelines of an event in Delhi. Targeting the Trinamool government in West Bengal, the National Award-winning actress and BJP MP from Mandi in Himachal Pradesh, said, 'I request the government of West Bengal not to make the state another North Korea.' 'Every citizen has democratic rights…if she made an objectionable comment, she also apologised for it later. She seems to have made the comment in a general context. Youngsters today use such language in the normal course,' she said, putting up a strong case for Sharmistha's release. Actor-cum-politician and Andhra Pradesh's Deputy Chief Minister Pawan Kalyan showed solidarity with Sharmistha and asked West Bengal Police to act justly. Amid the growing sympathy for the arrested influencer, the Kolkata Police sought to counter the 'misleading narrative' surrounding their action and her objectionable social media content. In a post on the social media platform X, the Kolkata Police justified their action of apprehending the 22-year-old law student, claiming they acted lawfully according to the procedure established by law. 'Hate speech and abusive language should not be misconstrued as freedom of speech and expression as enshrined in Article 19(1)(a) of the Constitution,' said the police. 'The accused was not arrested for expressing patriotism or for personal belief; legal actions were taken for sharing offensive content which promotes hatred among the communities,' the police said.
The Print
3 days ago
- Politics
- The Print
Sharmishta Panoli arrest brings Congress's Karti, BJP's Suvendu on same page; Dutch MP also chimes in
She subsequently deleted the video and issued an apology on 15 May, but the Kolkata Police took her into custody saying she and her family 'absconded' and attempts to serve notices to appear for questioning were not successful. On Saturday, Sharmistha was produced before the Alipore Court in Kolkata, which remanded her in judicial custody or 14 days. Sharmistha was arrested by Kolkata police from Haryana's Gurugram Friday night in connection with an FIR lodged at Kolkata's Garden Reach police station last month over an Instagram video on Operation Sindoor in which she made alleged controversial remarks on Prophet Muhammad. New Delhi: The arrest of Sharmistha Panoli, a 22-year-old law student and influencer, has invited criticism from various quarters. But, for the ruling Trinamool Congress (TMC) in West Bengal it has had another unintended consequence—bringing leaders of the Congress and Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on the same page, at least on this issue. What has now further drawn attention to the case is the comment of Dutch politician Geert Wilders, who called the action a 'disgrace for freedom of speech' and urged Prime Minister Narendra Modi to intervene for Sharmistha's release. Wilders is a leader of the far-right Party for Freedom. 'Free the brave Sharmishta Panoli! It's a disgrace for the freedom of speech that she was arrested. Don't punish her for speaking the truth about Pakistan and Muhammad. Help her @narendramodi,' Wilders said in a post on 'X'. Congress MP Karti Chidambaram called the arrest 'a blatant misuse of police powers,' adding on X: 'These interstate arrests for social media posts (unless it's clearly demonstrated that it has led to a law and order situation) is blatantly a misuse of police powers.' BJP leader Suvendu Adhikari accused West Bengal's ruling Trinamool Congress (TMC) of targeting Hindu voices selectively. 'Mamata Banerjee – 'Maha Kumbh is Mrityu Kumbh'. 'Jai Shree Ram is insulting abusive cuss word, hurled towards her.' No legal action. Mahua Moitra – 'Kali to me is a meat-eating, alcohol-accepting Goddess,' No legal action… (sic),' he said on 'X'. Sharmistha, he said, 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.' 'Action is only taken against Sanatanis,' he claimed. The Hindu woman, according to BJP's IT cell head Amit Malviya, was arrested to 'appease a vote bank.' 'This isn't just about Bengal — this is about how a young Hindu woman is being targeted to appease a vote bank… Justice must not be politically convenient.' Actor and BJP MP Kangana Ranaut wrote on Instagram that the Pune Law University student's apology should have been enough. 'She should be released immediately.' Andhra Pradesh Deputy Chief Minister Pawan Kalyan said, 'Where is the outrage when our faith is called 'Gandha Dharm'? Where is their apology? Where is their swift arrest?' And then there are the likes of Samajwadi Party MLA Abu Azmi who have demanded stricter laws to penalise religious hate speech. 'A law should be formulated against such people which gives a punishment of at least 10 years,' he said. The controversy began on May 14 when AIMIM spokesperson Waris Pathan flagged a video in which Sharmistha allegedly used derogatory language in response to a user defending Pakistan. On its part, the Kolkata Police defended the arrest of the social media influencer. 'All legal procedures were duly adhered to. All attempts were made to serve notice, but she was found absconding. A warrant was issued by a competent court, following which she was apprehended lawfully,' it said. Sharmistha faces serious charges under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, including Section 196(1)(a) for promoting enmity between groups based on religion, Section 299 for deliberate acts to outrage religious feelings, Section 352 for intentional insult to provoke breach of peace, and Section 353(1)(c) for inciting public mischief. (Edited by Tony Rai) Also Read: While granting bail, SC takes exception to Ashoka prof Mahmudabad's 'dog whistling' in social media post
Hans India
3 days ago
- Politics
- Hans India
Sharmista arrest case: Need to differentiate between hate speech and patriotism, say Kolkata Police
Amid growing sympathy for arrested influencer Sharmista Panoli, the Kolkata Police on Sunday presented its patriotic credentials while countering 'misleading narrative' surrounding their action and her objectionable social media content. In a post on social media platform X, the Kolkata Police justified their action of apprehending the 22-year-old law student, claiming they acted lawfully according to the procedure established by law. 'Hate speech and abusive language should not be misconstrued as freedom of speech and expression as enshrined in Article 19(1)(a) of the Constitution,' said the police. 'The accused was not arrested for expressing patriotism or for personal belief; legal actions were taken for sharing offensive content which promotes hatred among the communities,' the police said. 'Some social media accounts are spreading false information that Kolkata Police has unlawfully arrested a law student for opposing Pakistan. This narrative is mischievous and misleading,' said the post. It said that the Kolkata Police took pains to differentiate between expressing national pride and hate speech targeting any religious figure or community or any class of citizens. The police said: 'Expressing national pride and patriotism is a thing that every citizen and organisation stands for. Kolkata Police being no different, stands firmly with the citizens of India.' 'At the time when the whole country stood united and our brave citizens were fighting at the frontier, posting such content on social media which is insulting and demeaning to any class of citizens of India is most abominable act. Any such act will only benefit our enemies,' said the Kolkata Police. The post said the law student from Gurugram was arrested on the basis of allegations that she posted a video which was insulting to the religious belief of a class of citizen of India and amounted to promoting disharmony and hatred between different communities. The police said that hate speech targeting any religious figure or community or any class of citizens of India which has potential to incites disharmony and hatred between different communities is a punishable offence in the newly implemented Bhartiya Nyaya Sanhita. The clarification from Kolkata Police came on a day when celebrities like Bollywood star Kangna Ranaut said the arrest over a now-deleted social media post was 'unjustified' and amounted to North Korea-type dictatorship. Targeting the Trinamool government in West Bengal, the National Award-winning actress and BJP MP from Mandi in Himachal Pradesh, said: 'I request the government of West Bengal to not make the state another North Korea.' Actor-cum-politician and Andhra Pradesh's Deputy Chief Minister Pawan Kalyan also showed solidarity with Sharmistha and asked the police to act justly. Sharmistha was arrested on Saturday from Gurugram in Haryana by Kolkata Police for posting videos containing communal remarks during Operation Sindoor. She was later sent to 14-day judicial custody.
