Dutch politician Geert Wilders on Sunday came out in support of Sharmistha Panoli, an Instagram "influencer" arrested by the West Bengal Police for allegedly making communal remarks in a social media video.
Also Read: Who is Sharmistha Panoli? Know about the influencer Kangana Ranaut has supported after her arrest over Operation Sindoor remarks
"Free the brave Sharmistha 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 @narendramodi," Wilders posted on X.
In 2022, the Dutch lawmaker, who heads the right-wing Party for Freedom in The Netherlands, had backed BJP's Nupur Sharma amid a massive row over her remarks on Prophet Muhammad. Sharma was subsequently suspended by the BJP, and continues to remain suspended.
Also Read: Pawan Kalyan reacts to influencer Sharmistha Panoli's arrest, says 'the nation is watching'
Panoli, 22, who is originally from West Bengal's Kolkata, was apprehended in Haryana's Gurugram on Friday night after reportedly evading multiple police summons. She is a law student at a university in Pune, Maharashtra.
The video in question featured her criticising Bollywood actors for their silence on Operation Sindoor, as per police sources cited by news agency PTI. The post went viral and triggered a wave of backlash, prompting her to delete the clip and issue an apology. However, by then, a formal complaint had been filed in Kolkata and legal proceedings had commenced.
Also Read: Kangana Ranaut joins chorus demanding influencer Sharmishta Panoli’s release, says 'no need to bully or harass’
Panoli has been charged under several sections related to promoting enmity between groups and causing religious disharmony.
Also Read: Who is Sharmistha Panoli? Know about the influencer Kangana Ranaut has supported after her arrest over Operation Sindoor remarks
"Free the brave Sharmistha 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 @narendramodi," Wilders posted on X.
Free the brave Sharmishta Panoli!
— Geert Wilders (@geertwilderspvv) May 31, 2025
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 @narendramodi! @AmyMek #Sharmishta#IStandwithSharmishta #ReleaseSharmistha #FreeSharmishta pic.twitter.com/YhGSLhuyr2
In 2022, the Dutch lawmaker, who heads the right-wing Party for Freedom in The Netherlands, had backed BJP's Nupur Sharma amid a massive row over her remarks on Prophet Muhammad. Sharma was subsequently suspended by the BJP, and continues to remain suspended.
Also Read: Pawan Kalyan reacts to influencer Sharmistha Panoli's arrest, says 'the nation is watching'
Panoli, 22, who is originally from West Bengal's Kolkata, was apprehended in Haryana's Gurugram on Friday night after reportedly evading multiple police summons. She is a law student at a university in Pune, Maharashtra.
The video in question featured her criticising Bollywood actors for their silence on Operation Sindoor, as per police sources cited by news agency PTI. The post went viral and triggered a wave of backlash, prompting her to delete the clip and issue an apology. However, by then, a formal complaint had been filed in Kolkata and legal proceedings had commenced.
Also Read: Kangana Ranaut joins chorus demanding influencer Sharmishta Panoli’s release, says 'no need to bully or harass’
Panoli has been charged under several sections related to promoting enmity between groups and causing religious disharmony.
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