Sharmistha Panoli, a 22-year-old law student at Symbiosis Law School, Pune, was arrested on May 31 after a video she posted on Instagram drew widespread criticism for remarks considered offensive to Prophet Muhammad and for allegedly promoting enmity between religious communities.
The video, uploaded on May 14, supported the Indian Army’s Operation Sindoor—an offensive launched after the April Pahalgam terror attack. In the clip, Panoli questioned the silence of some Bollywood celebrities on the operation and made statements referencing Islam and Prophet Muhammad. The video quickly went viral, triggering backlash, social media protests, and threats.
An FIR was lodged on May 15 at Garden Reach Police Station in Kolkata under sections related to hurting religious sentiments and inciting communal tension. Following a court-issued warrant, she was detained by Kolkata Police in Gurugram and brought to Kolkata on transit remand. She has been placed in judicial custody until June 13.
Panoli issued a public apology stating her comments were her personal opinions and not intended to insult any religion or group. The incident has sparked public discourse on the boundaries of free speech and the legal consequences of religiously sensitive remarks in India.
Political and cultural figures have reacted differently. Actress Kangana Ranaut criticized the arrest in a social media post, writing: “Don’t make West Bengal the next North Korea.” Meanwhile, others have called for stricter accountability over communal statements made online.
The case continues to unfold amid broader concerns over the balance between freedom of expression and maintaining communal harmony.
