Who is Sharmistha Panoli? Influencer arrested over Operation Sindoor post
By : Sandhya
Sharmistha Panoli, a 22-year-old law student from Pune, was arrested in Gurugram by the Kolkata Police on Friday night following a viral Instagram video that allegedly contained derogatory remarks. The post sparked widespread backlash for allegedly offending a religious community and making controversial comments about the Prophet Muhammad. Although Panoli later issued an unconditional apology and removed the content, legal action had already been initiated.
Who is Sharmistha Panoli?
Panoli is a law student at Pune Law University and a prominent Instagram influencer known for her outspoken views on socio-political issues. On May 14, 2025, she posted a video responding to a Pakistani user who questioned India's actions after the Pahalgam terror attack. In her video, she criticized Bollywood celebrities for not speaking up about Operation Sindoor — India’s military response to the attack.
What Was in the Controversial Video?
While intended as a political commentary, the video drew sharp criticism, especially from Muslim communities in India and overseas. Viewers accused Panoli of making offensive statements about Islam and the Prophet. As outrage spread online, hashtags like #ArrestSharmistha trended, and she reportedly began receiving death and rape threats. Though Panoli deleted the video and apologized the next day, the matter escalated, leading to her arrest.