The digital age has blurred the lines between free speech and responsible expression. One example that has captured the nation’s attention is the arrest of Sharmishta Panoli, a 22-year-old influencer who was taken into custody for allegedly making derogatory remarks about Bollywood celebrities during Operation Sindoor.
Hailing from Kolkata and currently a law student at Symbiosis Law School, Pune, Sharmishta Panoli had carved a niche for herself on Instagram with 90,000 followers and 80,000 on X (formerly Twitter). Her posts often resonated with bold commentary on social issues and current events.
But things took a controversial turn on May 14, 2025, when she posted a fiery video response to a Pakistani user’s comments on the Pahalgam terror attack. While initially defending India’s military stance, Panoli crossed the line by making disparaging remarks about Islam and Prophet Muhammad. This move sparked a digital firestorm, leading to an avalanche of backlash and threats.
Despite deleting the video and issuing an apology, Panoli’s troubles didn’t end there. She faced five separate complaints in Kolkata, ultimately leading to her arrest on May 31, 2025, from Gurugram, Haryana. The FIR included serious charges under multiple sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNSS):
- Section 196(1)(a) & 299: Intentional conduct to hurt religious sentiments
- Section 352: Deliberate insult with intent to breach peace
- Section 353(1)(c): Provocation for public disorder
- Section 196(1)(a): Promoting animosity between communities
She was remanded to judicial custody until June 13.
While Panoli remains under immense stress, she’s also receiving rape and death threats online. In a court statement, she argued, “The harassment you have done being in a democracy, this is not a democracy.” Her legal team claims that multiple FIRs violate Supreme Court guidelines and allege that proper advance notice under Section 35(3) of BNSS was not served before the arrest. Kolkata Police, however, stated that Panoli repeatedly avoided arrest and that all due procedures were followed.