Pawan Kalyan Slams Mamata Over Influencer's Arrest, Says 'Secularism Must Be Two-Way Street'

The arrest of influencer Sharmistha Panoli by Kolkata Police over a communal social media post has triggered a political storm. Pawan Kalyan, Andhra Pradesh's Deputy Chief Minister and BJP ally, has criticised West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee's remarks, insisting that "secularism must be a two-way street."

Sharmistha Panoli, a 22-year-old law student, was arrested in Kolkata yesterday for videos posted on social media containing abusive, communally sensitive language, in which she also targeted Bollywood celebrities for remaining silent during Operation Sindoor.

Photo Credit: PTI,x.com/PawanKalyan, IANS

A complaint lodged in Kolkata led to an FIR against her, citing provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita related to promoting religious enmity, wilfully outraging religious sentiments, and provoking breach of peace. She was presented in court and has been remanded to judicial custody for 14 days.

Jana Sena Party leader Pawan Kalyan commented on the incident via X, saying: "During Operation Sindoor, Sharmistha, a law student, spoke out, her words regrettable and hurtful to some. She owned her mistake, deleted the video and apologised. The WB 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?"

Chief Minister Banerjee, meanwhile, accused the BJP of attempting to provoke "communal riots through divisive politics" in West Bengal and asserted that its "ganda dharma" contradicts the essence of true Hinduism.

Responding to Banerjee's remarks, Kalyan shared a video of her speech, adding,
"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."

Kolkata Police issued a statement countering claims circulating on social media that Panoli's arrest was unlawful.

"Certain social media narratives suggesting an unlawful arrest of a law student are factually incorrect and misleading. All legal procedures were duly adhered to. All attempts were made to serve notice, but she was found absconding on every occasion. Consequently, a warrant of arrest was issued by the competent court, following which she was apprehended lawfully from Gurgaon. She was thereafter produced before the appropriate magistrate and granted transit remand as per due process of law. We urge all concerned to refrain from spreading unverified or speculative content and to rely on authentic sources for information," they stated on X.

Panoli, who deleted the controversial post following backlash, also issued a public apology.

Suvendu Adhikari, the Leader of the Opposition in the West Bengal Assembly, also criticised the arrest.

Amplifying Kalyan's post, he questioned Kolkata Police's inaction in cases involving attacks on Hindu deities and stone-pelting during Ram Navami and Hanuman Jayanti processions.