The recent arrest of Sharmishtha Panoli, a young woman from Bharat, has reignited fierce debates on freedom of speech, selective outrage, and the curbing of Hindu voices in the country. The controversy centers around her social media post, which, while criticizing Pakistan’s actions against Bharat, allegedly included remarks deemed derogatory towards Prophet Mohammed. The swift legal action against her has been met with widespread backlash, particularly from Hindu civilizational nationalists, who argue that the right to free expression is being selectively enforced and that Hindus face disproportionate scrutiny for their speech.
Background: The Arrest of Sharmishtha Panoli
Sharmishtha Panoli’s arrest stemmed from an FIR filed by Wazahat Khan Qadri Rashidi, who accused her of making blasphemous remarks against Prophet Mohammed while she was criticizing Pakistan’s policies towards Bharat. The incident quickly drew attention on social media, with many users and activists questioning why criticism of Pakistan’s actions was conflated with religious insult, and why the state machinery acted so swiftly when the sentiments of one community were involved.
Backlash and Allegations of Selective Free Speech
The arrest has sparked a broader discussion about the state of free speech in Bharat, especially for Hindus. Critics argue that while blasphemy or insult to religious figures is taken seriously when it concerns minority communities, similar sensitivity is lacking when Hindu beliefs or deities are targeted. The perception is that legal and social responses are asymmetrical, leading to a sense of injustice and marginalization among Hindus.
Retaliatory Measures: FIRs Against Wazahat Khan and Others
In a significant turn of events, Hindu organizations and activists have begun filing complaints against Wazahat Khan himself for allegedly making derogatory remarks about Hindu deities on social media. An FIR was registered against Khan in Guwahati, Assam, for his offensive posts targeting Hindu beliefs, with the Assam Chief Minister vowing strict action. These developments highlight a growing trend of “retaliatory FIRs,” where communities seek to hold each other to the same standards of religious respect and legal accountability.
Similarly, journalist Rana Ayyub has come under scrutiny, with Delhi Police informing the court that details of her social media posts which insult Hindu deities are being awaited as part of an ongoing FIR. These cases underscore the demand for equal treatment under the law and a consistent application of standards regarding hate speech and blasphemy.
Civilizational Nationalist Perspective: Demanding Equal Protection and Respect
From a Hindu civilizational nationalist viewpoint, these incidents are emblematic of deeper societal and institutional biases. There is a growing sentiment that Hindus are often denied the same protections and respect afforded to other communities, both in the legal system and in public discourse. The swift action against Sharmishtha Panoli, contrasted with the perceived inaction or delay in cases involving derogatory remarks against Hindu dharma, is seen as evidence of this double standard.
This has led to calls for:
- Uniform enforcement of laws related to hate speech and blasphemy, regardless of the community involved.
- Greater sensitivity towards Hindu beliefs and practices in public discourse and legal frameworks.
- Public awareness about the selective application of free speech protections and the need for genuine secularism.
Case Studies: Blasphemous Posts and Legal Responses
This section includes screenshots and examples of social media posts that highlight the extremely offensive and derogatory nature of these posts. These examples illustrate the asymmetry in legal and social reactions to blasphemy and hate speech targeting Hindu dharma in Bharat.
Arfa Khanum Sherwani, who claims to be a liberal had once posted mocking Bhagwan Ram through a comic picture:
Several Islamists and self-professed liberalists and secularists have been found openly posting mocking images on the sacred Hindu symbolism of the Shiva Lingam:
Apart from this, the Khalistani ideologues and extremists have also relentlessly propagated vicious and hateful content against Hindu dharma:
With the rise of Ambedkarism and caste politics, the ‘Bhim’ army and other caste-centric forces have strengthened their blasphemous and extreme denigration of Hindu dharma in public discourse:
These are just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to the hateful content that is being propagated against Hindu dharma in social media by anti-Hindu forces. Against this backdrop, the arrest of Sharmishtha Panoli brings out the level of extreme animosity which is being propagated by the Bharatiya state against Hindu dharma.
Conclusion: Towards a Balanced and Hindu-Centric Approach
The Sharmishtha Panoli case has become a rallying point for demanding a more balanced and equitable approach to freedom of speech and religious sensitivities in Bharat. Considering the fact that Bharat is the sacred land of Hindus around the world, it is important to protect the cultural and religious symbols of Hindu dharma. As more cases come to light, the need for a consistent, principled approach to hate speech and blasphemy—one that protects the dignity and rights of all citizens—has never been more urgent.
