Influencer apprehended in Gurugram due to controversial post related to Operation Sindoor
ColkataPolice Arrest Instagram Influencer Over Communal Video
Kolkata, India - The Kolkata Police have apprehended Sharmishtha Panoli, a 22-year-old Instagram influencer and law student from Pune, in connection with an Instagram post containing communally charged comments regarding Bollywood actors and a matter known as "Operation Sindoor."
According to sources, Panoli's arrest followed an Instagram video she posted that had allegedly claimed Hindi film actors were remaining silent on "Operation Sindoor." The details of "Operation Sindoor" and Panoli's specific allegations remain unclear at this time.
The controversial video sparked significant backlash, with numerous users expressing their disapproval, trolling her, and posting threatening messages in the comments section. This intense negative reaction reportedly led Panoli to delete the video and issue a public apology on May 15.
Nevertheless, a complaint had already been filed against her in Kolkata, followed by legal notices being issued to both Panoli and her family. The family, who reportedly went into hiding, ultimately resulted in a court issuing an arrest warrant for Panoli.
On Friday night, the Kolkata Police arrested Panoli from Gurugram, Haryana. An officer from the Kolkata Police confirmed that several attempts were made to serve legal notices to Panoli and her family but were unsuccessful.
The arrest has ignited a political controversy, with the BJP criticizing the Trinamool Congress (TMC) for what they perceive as selective enforcement of the law. The BJP pointed out that despite Panoli's apology, she was arrested, while noting that more divisive statements by political figures have not been acted upon with similar urgency. Internationally, Dutch MP Geert Wilders has also criticized the arrest, calling it a "disgrace for freedom of speech."
Panoli has been remanded to 14-day judicial custody by the court. The case underscores the challenges of balancing freedom of expression with the need to maintain communal harmony in India.
- The arrest of Sharmishtha Panoli, a social-media influencer, has generated debate in the realm of finance, politics, and general-news, with Dutch MP Geert Wilders calling it a "disgrace for freedom of speech."
- The recent controversy over Panoli's Instagram post, containing communally charged comments, and her subsequent arrest have raised questions about defi and justice in India.
- The deletion of the inflammatory video by Panoli and her subsequent apology did not prevent her arrest, which has stirred discussions on the finance and social-media landscape.
- In the entertainment industry, the arrest of Instagram influencer Sharmishtha Panoli over a controversial video has introduced a new layer of complexity, focusing attention on the delicate balance between freedom of expression and maintaining communal harmony.
