On June 2, 2025, the arrest of Sharmistha Panoli, a 22-year-old law student and social media influencer, by the Kolkata Police has ignited a firestorm of debate across India. Panoli, who hails from Kolkata’s Anandapur Police Station area but was arrested in Gurugram, Haryana, found herself in the eye of a communal and political storm after posting a now-deleted video containing derogatory and offensive remarks against Prophet Muhammad, Bollywood actors, and influencer Ranveer Allahbadia. What began as an attention-seeking stunt has spiraled into a complex narrative involving legal accountability, political opportunism, and societal reflection. Panoli’s case is not just about her actions—it’s a mirror reflecting deeper systemic issues in India’s socio-political landscape.
*A Video That Sparked Nationwide Outrage*
Sharmistha Panoli’s controversial video, posted in the aftermath of the Pahalgam attack and Operation Sindoor, was a calculated act that many believe was designed to garner attention from right-wing groups. In the video, she allegedly used abusive and derogatory language targeting Prophet Muhammad, Bollywood’s prominent Khans, and influencer Ranveer Allahbadia, under the guise of “Pakistan bashing.” Her remarks, laced with what some have termed “sexualized blasphemy,” were seen as a direct attack on the Muslim community, threatening India’s fragile communal harmony.
The video quickly went viral, drawing widespread condemnation and prompting multiple FIRs across the country, including one at Kolkata’s Garden Reach police station. Despite deleting the video and issuing a public apology on May 15, Panoli could not escape the legal repercussions. The Kolkata Police, after seeking approval from the BJP-governed Haryana government, travelled to Gurugram to detain her. She was subsequently sentenced to 14 days of judicial custody, a move that has polarized public opinion.
*Selective Enforcement or Legal Accountability?*
Amit Malviya, the chief of the BJP IT cell and a prominent voice on social media criticized the arrest, alleging selective enforcement by the Kolkata Police and questioning the urgency with which they acted against Panoli. Malviya pointed out that while Panoli’s video was offensive, she had already apologized, and there were no reports of communal unrest directly linked to her remarks. He contrasted this with what he described as Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee’s own “divisive statements,” which he claims have led to “tragic loss of life and destruction of property” on multiple occasions, yet have not faced similar legal scrutiny.
However, this narrative overlooks the procedural realities of Panoli’s arrest. The Kolkata Police acted on FIRs filed against her, and her arrest required coordination with the Haryana government, which is ruled by the BJP. Critics of Malviya’s stance argue that blaming the Trinamool Congress (TMC) and Kolkata Police ignores the role of the Haryana government in facilitating the arrest. As one observer noted, “How come the ruling TMC or the CM is to be blamed for all this when the cases were filed in Kolkata, and the police couldn’t overlook them?”
*The BJP’s Double Game and the Right-Wing Ecosystem*
Panoli’s arrest has exposed the fault lines within India’s political landscape, particularly the BJP’s alleged “double game.” While the Haryana government approved her arrest, the BJP IT cell and its supporters have been accused of manufacturing outrage, instructing their followers to demand Panoli’s release and attack the Kolkata Police. Prominent right-wing social media accounts have hailed Panoli as a “Nationalist Sanatani Beti,” framing her arrest as an injustice against a young Hindu woman standing up for her beliefs.
This narrative conveniently ignores the legal basis for her arrest and the Haryana government’s complicity. It also highlights a troubling trend: the weaponization of communal rhetoric for political gain. Panoli’s actions, while indefensible, were cheered on by a right-wing ecosystem that thrives on polarizing content. As one critic put it, “Targeting Muslims and other minorities has sadly become the fastest route to fame, and Sharmistha learned that the hard way.”
*A Deeper Psychological and Societal Malaise*
Beyond the political machinations, Panoli’s case offers a window into deeper societal issues. Some feminist scholars and psychologists have interpreted her actions through the lens of power-control theory, suggesting that her “sexualized blasphemy” may be a form of rebellion against the suppression of women’s agency in Indian society. By targeting an “external” deity—Prophet Muhammad—Panoli could critique religious authority without directly confronting her own community’s beliefs, thus avoiding a personal backlash within her Hindu identity.
This perspective frames Panoli’s actions as a symptom of broader societal frustrations, particularly among young women who feel constrained by patriarchal norms. Her vulgar and communal posts, which had garnered her a significant following, may reflect a desire to reclaim agency in a society where women’s sexuality and autonomy are often regulated. As one analysis put it, “Sharmishtha ji’s sexualized blasphemy is more rebellion against suppression of women’s agency in our society than anything else. The suppression is societal rather than religion-specific.”
*A Law Student’s Fall from Grace*
Panoli, a law student who should have been well-versed in her rights and responsibilities as a citizen, seemed to understand the legal implications of her actions—evidenced by her decision to delete the video and issue an apology. Yet, her arrest was marked by defiance. In a video capturing the moment, she was heard screaming, “This is no f***ing democracy,” a statement that underscores her frustration but also her disconnect from the legal consequences of her actions.
At just 22 years old, Panoli’s future hangs in the balance. Some argue that keeping her behind bars for a now-deleted video, for which she has apologized, is a “travesty of justice.” Others insist that she must face the full weight of the law to deter others from using communal rhetoric for clout. As one observer noted, “This young lady needs to be punished for what she has done, but that’s for the judiciary to decide.”
*A Win-Win for Political Parties, a Loss for Society*
The arrest has been a political boon for both the TMC and the BJP, albeit in different ways. For the TMC, it signals a commitment to curbing blasphemy, potentially appealing to Muslim voters while countering the growing popularity of leaders like Rahul Gandhi in the community. For the BJP, it provides an opportunity to stoke majoritarian sentiments, reinforcing the narrative that non-BJP governments disproportionately favor Muslims, while in BJP-ruled states, “lynching, encounters, and bulldozers are the new normal.”
Yet, this political posturing comes at a cost. Panoli’s life, as many have noted, will never be the same. She faces two starkly different futures: either becoming a new mascot for right-wing groups thriving on communal division or fading into obscurity, her career and reputation in tatters. The rise of “WhatsApp universities” and the government’s insensitivity to the radicalization of youth have only exacerbated this crisis, fuelling a cycle of hate that shows no signs of abating.
Forgiveness or Accountability?
The biblical quote, “Forgive them, for they know not what they do” (Luke 23:34), has been invoked to describe Panoli’s situation, suggesting that her actions may stem from ignorance or societal pressures rather than malice. But the question remains: will forgiveness work in a case that has already caused so much harm? Panoli’s arrest may serve as a wake-up call for her and others like her, but it also underscores the need for a broader societal reckoning.
Sharmistha Panoli is not the disease—she is a symptom of a society grappling with communal tensions, political opportunism, and the radicalization of its youth. Her case forces us to confront uncomfortable truths about the systems that enable such behavior and the consequences of allowing hate to fester unchecked. As India navigates this turbulent chapter, the hope is that this incident will have a “salutary effect,” not just on Panoli, but on a nation in desperate need of healing.
Hasnain Naqvi, a former member of the history faculty, St. Xavier’s College, Mumbai. He writes on diverse topics ranging from History, Culture, Politics and Contemporary issues.
