Bar Council of India (BCI) Chairman and Rajya Sabha MP Manan Kumar Mishra On Sunday the West Bengal Government strongly criticized the arrest of law student Sharmistha Panoli “unhappy” and a serious violation of freedom of expression.
In a public explanation, Mishra said: “I am firm with Sharmistha Panoli. Her arrest and judicial detention about a now removed social media video, according to its immediate apology reflection, is a complete failure of justice. This is a clear attack on freedom of expression.”
In a press statement, Mishra accused the West Bengal Government and the police of Kolkata to follow a politically motivated and selective action pattern, reportedly aimed at specific communities, while individuals ignored or protect more serious violations against other groups.
He quoted earlier incidents such as the Marichjhapi massacre, Nandigram Violence, Political Killings and recent Murshidabad Communal Riots, who claimed complicity or inactivity.
Moreover, Mishra claimed that the state has often protected perpetrators of violence against Hindus, while they came down hard to dissidents such as Sharmistha.
He also criticized the government for opposing terror surgery such as ‘Operation Sindoor’, aimed at revenue revenge of brutal murders on innocent people, while now silencing a young law student to raise questions about such double standards.
Mishra condemned the labeling of small choices as blasphemy and described the legal action against Sharmistha as inhumane and unjust. He also called for her immediate release, an honest hearing and an end to the double standards that are said to have plagued the legal system of West Bengalen.
#Assault #Free #Speech #Bar #Council #India #strives #release #Sharmishta #Panoli