'Secularism must be 2-way street': Pawan Kalyan slams influencer Sharmishta Panoli's arrest over controversial post

This comes after Kolkata Police have arrested social media content creator Sharmishta Panoli from Gurugram on charges of promoting enmity and outraging religious feelings on social media.

In a post on X, Kalyan, who is the founder of Janasena Party, wrote: "During Operation Sindoor, Sharmistha, a law student, spoke out, her words regrettable and hurtful to some. She owned her mistake, deleted the video and apologized. 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?

"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. #IstandwithSharmistha. #EqualJustice," he wrote.

The Pune-based law student had earlier tendered an apology for the comments that had sparked widespread online outrage.

According to reports, she was detained at a hotel in Gurugram.

In the Instagram video, which has now been deleted, the law student had reportedly slammed Bollywood celebrities for their silence on "Operation Sindoor."

“The case pertains to an Instagram video by Sharmistha Panoli that hurt the religious sentiments of the members of a particular community,” a senior police officer told ThePrint.

Sources told the news portal that her “disrespectful and derogatory” remarks in the video were directed at a particular religion.

After the video triggered an online outrage, an FIR was lodged against her.

As per police sources, the FIR was lodged under sections 196(1) (a) promoting enmity between different groups on grounds of religion, race, place of birth, residence, language, caste, or community, 299 (deliberate and malicious acts intended to outrage the religious feelings of any class of citizens), 352 ( intentional insult with the intent to provoke a breach of peace), 353(1)(c) (statements that incite public mischief) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, reported Hindustan Times.

She had earlier tendered an apology for her remarks on X when she wrote: " I do hereby tender my UNCONDITIONAL APOLOGY whatever was put are my personal feelings and i never intentionally wanted to hurt anybody so if anybody is hurt I’m sorry for the same. I expect co-operation and understanding. Henceforth, i will be cautious in my public post. Again please accept my apologies."