Kangana Ranaut Supports Arrested Instagram Influencer Sharmishtha Panoli, Demands Immediate Release

Bollywood actress and Himachal Pradesh's Mandi MP Kangana Ranaut has extended support to Instagram influencer Sharmishtha Panoli, who was arrested by Kolkata police on Friday over controversial religious remarks in a viral video.

Through an Instagram story, Ranaut acknowledged that Panoli used inappropriate language but emphasized that such expressions are common among today's youth. "She has apologized for her statements, and that should be sufficient. There's no need for further bullying or harassment. She should be released immediately," the actress wrote.

The controversy began when Panoli uploaded a video questioning Bollywood actors' silence on Operation Sindoor. She criticized several actors who portray patriotic roles in films but remain quiet when required to support soldiers in real situations, calling them "hypocrites."

The situation escalated after the Pahalgam terrorist attack when a Pakistani user commented on Panoli's post defending terrorists. In response, Panoli shared a video on May 14 with sharp reactions against Pakistan and terrorism. However, her comments regarding a particular religion in this video sparked widespread controversy.

Following the video's viral spread, Muslim users from both Pakistan and India demanded FIR registration against Panoli. The backlash prompted her to issue a public apology on social media, stating: "I unconditionally apologize to everyone. Whatever I said reflected my personal emotions. My intention was never to deliberately hurt anyone. I will be more careful about my public posts in the future. Please forgive me once again."

Despite her apology, Kolkata police proceeded with the arrest, leading to Ranaut's intervention. The case highlights ongoing tensions around social media content, religious sensitivities, and freedom of expression in the digital age.