22-year-old Pune-based law student and Instagram influencer Sharmistha Panoli arrested in Gurugram by Kolkata Police for controversial remarks on Operation Sindoor. Legal and digital rights debates ignite online.
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Who is Sharmistha Panoli? Influencer and Law Student Arrested Over Operation Sindoor Social Media Post
New Delhi | June 2, 2025 — In a case that has reignited debates over free speech and online expression, Sharmistha Panoli, a 22-year-old law student from Pune and an emerging Instagram influencer, was arrested by the Kolkata Police for allegedly posting a "derogatory" video related to Operation Sindoor, a recent counter-terrorism operation conducted in Jammu and Kashmir.
Panoli was nabbed from Gurugram, Haryana, and later transferred to Kolkata for further investigation. Her arrest has triggered widespread attention, with some hailing the move as necessary for national sensitivity, while others decry it as a clampdown on freedom of expression.
Influencer-Law Student Sharmistha Panoli Arrested Over Operation Sindoor Post
Who Is Sharmistha Panoli?
Panoli is a final-year law student at a reputed private university in Pune and also a growing digital presence on platforms like Instagram and YouTube. Known for her sharp commentary on politics, pop culture, and feminism, her follower base crossed 60,000 in recent months.
Her now-deleted video, posted last week, criticized Bollywood celebrities for their silence on Operation Sindoor, an army-led strike that neutralized high-value militant targets in Kashmir. In the video, she allegedly referred to celebrity “hypocrisy,” comparing their social media activism for global causes to their muted response on domestic security issues.
The video, while not naming individuals, used strong language and visuals that authorities deemed inflammatory. Hashtags linked to the video trended briefly before it was taken down.
The Arrest: What We Know So Far
Panoli was picked up on May 30 from a co-working space in Sector 45, Gurugram, where she was attending a legal internship program. The arrest was executed by a team of Kolkata Police in coordination with Haryana authorities.
She was booked under:
IPC Sections 153A (promoting enmity between groups)
295A (deliberate acts to outrage religious feelings)
67 of the IT Act (publishing obscene or offensive content in electronic form)
“Her video content and captions were found to potentially incite hatred and disrespect sentiments attached to national security,” a senior Kolkata Police official said.
She was produced before a Kolkata magistrate, and has been remanded to judicial custody for 5 days, while her devices are being forensically examined.
Operation Sindoor: Background
Operation Sindoor, launched in mid-May, was a joint initiative by Indian Armed Forces in Pulwama and adjoining districts, targeting militant hideouts. The operation saw multiple high-profile eliminations and recovered large stashes of weapons and intelligence materials.
The central government hailed it as a strategic victory, and it was widely reported in defense and national security circles. However, it also sparked some civil rights concerns regarding transparency and civilian impact—although no official complaints have been confirmed.
Digital Outcry and Legal Perspectives
Panoli’s arrest has sparked fierce debate on digital platforms:
Supporters argue she crossed a line, using her influence irresponsibly.
Critics accuse authorities of overreach and stifling dissent in the name of national pride.
“The IPC sections used are dangerously vague and frequently weaponized against young voices online,” said Advocate Meenakshi Narayan, a constitutional law expert.
“The government must clarify what qualifies as ‘derogatory’ or ‘anti-national’. Otherwise, every meme risks arrest,” tweeted Swara Bhaskar, actor and activist.
The Internet Freedom Foundation (IFF) called the arrest a “disproportionate response” and has offered Panoli pro bono legal support, stating that the right to critique government action is fundamental to democracy.
Bollywood Reaction and Silence
Ironically, the video accused Bollywood of silence—and it appears that the film industry is once again mute.
Prominent celebrities named indirectly in Panoli’s content, such as Alia Bhatt, Ranveer Singh, and Farhan Akhtar, have yet to comment. Some speculate that the legal nature of the case is prompting caution. Meanwhile, anonymous sources close to Bollywood insiders suggest a divide over whether to support Panoli’s right to speech or condemn her tone.
A Larger Trend? Youth Voices vs Regulation
This incident mirrors other recent high-profile cases involving student influencers and law enforcement:
In April, a Bengaluru-based climate activist was detained for anti-dam protest videos.
In January, a Hyderabad medical student was booked for criticizing COVID vaccine trials.
Panoli’s case may set a new precedent for how legal systems address young digital commentators navigating free expression and national sentiment.
Conclusion: Legal Battle Ahead
As Sharmistha Panoli awaits her next hearing, her case raises tough questions about:
Where freedom of speech ends and legal boundaries begin
Whether social media commentary can lead to criminal action in a democracy
How authorities balance public order with dissenting opinion
For now, the voice of a law student turned influencer is caught in the crosshairs of India’s ongoing debate over digital liberty, patriotism, and the power of the individual voice.
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