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Key Points

Sharmishta Panoli, an Indian influencer, was arrested by Kolkata Police for allegedly hurting religious sentiments, sparking outrage from prominent figures including Dutch MP Geert Wilders. Wilders, known for his right-wing stance, called her arrest a disgrace against freedom of speech and urged Prime Minister Narendra Modi to intervene. The incident occurred after Panoli's controversial social media posts during Operation Sindoor were accused of promoting religious enmity. This arrest has ignited political discord, with BJP officials labeling it as an act of "appeasement politics" by the West Bengal government.

Key Points: Geert Wilders Urges Modi to Defend Influencer Sharmishta

  • Wilders supports Sharmishta Panoli's freedom appeal
  • Panoli faces jail for religious remarks during Operation Sindoor
  • BJP criticizes Panoli's arrest as political vendetta
2 min read

All eyes on Sharmishta: Dutch MP Geert Wilders backs arrested influencer

Wilders asks Modi to free influencer Panoli, arrested in Kolkata for religiously sensitive posts.

"Free the brave Sharmishta Panoli! It's a disgrace for the freedom of speech. - Geert Wilders"

Amsterdam, June 1

Dutch Member of Parliament Geert Wilders has come out in support of 22-year-old Indian law student and influencer Sharmishta Panoli, who was arrested by Kolkata Police for allegedly hurting religious sentiments through her social media posts.

Calling the arrest a "disgrace for the freedom of speech", the right-wing Dutch lawmaker urged Prime Minister Narendra Modi to ensure Panoli's release.

"Free the brave Sharmishta Panoli! It's a disgrace for the freedom of speech that she was arrested. Don't punish her for speaking the truth about Pakistan and Muhammad. Help her, Narendra Modi," Wilders posted on X, along with an image of Panoli with "All eyes on Sharmishta" written on it.

Panoli was arrested on Saturday in Kolkata for posting videos containing communal remarks during Operation Sindoor -- India's counterterror strike following the Pahalgam terror attack that claimed 26 civilian lives, including one Nepali national.

The FIR filed against her includes charges under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita for promoting enmity on religious grounds, deliberately outraging religious feelings, and provoking a breach of peace.

Despite deleting the video and issuing a public apology, Panoli was produced in court and sent to 14-day judicial custody.

Her arrest has triggered a political backlash, especially from the BJP, which has accused the Mamata Banerjee-led West Bengal government of a "vote-bank vendetta".

"Why was Sharmishta Panoli arrested overnight for a deleted video, which triggered no riot or unrest?" questioned West Bengal BJP president and Union Minister of State, Sukanta Majumdar.

"When TMC leaders insult Sanatan Dharma, call 'Jai Shri Ram' a gaali, and mock the Maha Kumbh, there is no FIR, no arrest, no apology. This is not justice, this is appeasement politics," he said.

Known for his outspoken stance against radical Islam, Wilders had previously extended support to former BJP spokesperson Nupur Sharma during the global uproar over her remarks on Prophet Muhammad. He had described her statements as "truthful" and accused Islamic nations of intimidating India into silence.

- IANS

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Reader Comments

R
Rahul K.
Why are foreign politicians interfering in our internal matters? Wilders has no idea about our social fabric. Freedom of speech isn't absolute anywhere - even Netherlands has hate speech laws. Let our courts decide what's right. 🇮🇳
P
Priya M.
The timing is suspicious - right after Pahalgam attack emotions were high. While I don't support arrests for speech, influencers must be responsible. You can criticize Pakistan without hurting religious sentiments. There's a fine line!
A
Arjun S.
Double standards by TMC government is clear as daylight! When their leaders insult Hindu sentiments, no action. But one student speaks against terrorism and gets arrested overnight? Shameful vote bank politics in Bengal 😡
S
Sunita R.
As a law student herself, Sharmishta should've known better than to make inflammatory remarks. But 14-day custody seems excessive for a deleted video with apology. Our justice system needs more balance - neither too lenient nor too harsh.
V
Vikram J.
Wilders supporting her proves what agenda she represents. We Indians know how to handle our affairs. Foreigners lecturing us about free speech while their own countries ban hijabs and minarets? Pot calling kettle black!
N
Neha P.
Emotional time after terror attacks, but we must not become what we fight against. India's strength is unity in diversity. Hope Sharmishta learns from this and uses her platform more responsibly in future 🙏

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