BJP leader Agnimitra Paul condemns Mamata Banerjee govt

Kolkata

West Bengal BJP leader Agnimitra Paul strongly criticized the Mamata Banerjee government on Monday following the arrest of Instagram influencer Sharmishta Panoli. The 22-year-old law student, who was taken into custody for allegedly posting a video with communal content, has sparked a political controversy with calls for justice and freedom of expression.

Panoli was arrested by Kolkata Police from Gurugram and subsequently sent to judicial custody until June 13. The case stems from a video she posted that was deemed by police to insult the religious beliefs of certain communities and promote disharmony.

Agnimitra Paul thanked the Bar Council of India (BCI) and actor-politician Kangana Ranaut for supporting Panoli. She urged Indians—both Hindus and Muslims—to unite against what she described as injustice and bias by the state government. Paul accused the Mamata government of selectively targeting Hindus while protecting Muslim interests, citing examples of recent incidents where action was allegedly withheld against Muslim political leaders.

BCI chairman Manan Kumar Mishra condemned the arrest, calling it an “absolute failure of justice” and an attack on freedom of expression. Kangana Ranaut also appealed for Panoli’s release, emphasizing that the influencer had apologized and deleted the post. The controversy comes amid heightened communal sensitivities following “Operation Sindoor,” a counter-terror operation in West Bengal, and highlights ongoing tensions over free speech and political bias in the state.