NEW DELHI (Diya TV) — Sharmistha, a 22-year-old Hindu law student and social media influencer, was arrested by Kolkata Police on May 30 following a wave of online outrage accusing her of offending Muslims. The arrest has ignited a nationwide debate about free speech, selective law enforcement, and the rising influence of religious groups on Indian law enforcement agencies.
Sharmistha’s arrest came two weeks after she posted a video condemning the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack in Kashmir, where 26 Hindus were executed by terrorists linked to The Resistance Front, an offshoot of the Pakistan-backed Lashkar-e-Taiba. Her video criticized those who deny or downplay the massacre and was specifically aimed at terrorists and their apologists, not at any religion. However, Muslim social media users from India and Pakistan launched a coordinated campaign accusing her of insulting Prophet Muhammad, using the hashtag #ArrestSharmistha, which trended for days on X.
Prominent Muslim figures, including AIMIM party chief Asaduddin Owaisi and radical spokesperson Waris Pathan, publicly demanded her arrest. Meanwhile, Sharmistha received numerous rape and death threats, including calls for beheading. Despite these threats, police prioritized arresting Sharmistha rather than investigating those who incited violence against her. Activist Sunaina Holey reported that the Kolkata Police traveled over 1,500 kilometers to Gurgaon to detain her, reportedly without the required warrant documentation but later obtaining a magistrate’s order.
Sharmistha was placed in judicial custody after the court denied police custody and bail applications. Her legal team has sought to consolidate multiple FIRs (First Information Reports) against her into a single case for efficient handling. So far, five FIRs accuse her of offending Muslims.
Manan Kumar Mishra, Chairman of the Bar Council of India and Member of Parliament, condemned the arrest as a violation of free speech and a politically motivated misuse of justice. He demanded her immediate release, highlighting concerns that authorities shield those inciting violence against Hindus while punishing a young law student for expressing dissent.
The Rashidi Foundation, an Islamic group involved in pressuring authorities for Sharmistha’s arrest, publicly celebrated their role in her detention. In a video, their members claimed they “cannot tolerate a single word against the Prophet” and praised the Kolkata Police for complying with their demands. They issued public threats warning others in India to stay silent or face similar consequences.
The arrest draws comparisons to the 2022 case of BJP spokesperson Nupur Sharma, who faced legal action and threats after quoting Islamic texts in a debate.
Civil rights activists and legal observers argue that India’s police and political leaders are effectively enforcing blasphemy laws reminiscent of Sharia, undermining secularism, freedom of expression, and legal equality. Critics emphasize that while Sharmistha faces incarceration, those issuing rape and death threats remain free and uninvestigated.
Sharmistha issued a public apology amid escalating threats, stating she did not intend to hurt anyone and promised to be more cautious in future posts. Yet, her apology did not prevent her arrest.
