In a shocking display of selective law enforcement, Kolkata Police is facing widespread criticism for failing to act against Wazahat Khan, a radical Muslim figure who has posted multiple offensive remarks targeting Hinduism and its deities. Khan, who operates the Rashidi Foundation in Kolkata, is the same individual who filed the FIR that led to the arrest of 22-year-old law student Sharmishta Panoli from Gurgaon. Despite being the victim of online abuse and death threats for criticizing Pakistan in a now-deleted Instagram video, Sharmishta was arrested, denied bail, and sent to judicial custody. In contrast, Khan – who publicly celebrated her arrest – remains untouched by the law even after his derogatory posts against Sanatan Dharma surfaced on social media.
Screenshots of Khan’s tweets and Instagram comments reveal a pattern of hate speech, including deeply offensive language aimed at Hindu deities and cultural practices. In one instance, he mocked the worship at Kamakhya temple and used vulgar terms to ridicule Hindu beliefs. Other posts described Hindus using slurs, made sexually explicit remarks about religious figures, and incited communal division. Despite this overwhelming digital trail of hate, including references to his involvement in the case against Sharmishta, no action has been taken against him. Even though two formal complaints have now been filed, the Kolkata police have not pursued any arrest, prompting critics to allege religious appeasement and bias in the law enforcement process.
The glaring contrast between the swift action against a Hindu student and the inaction against an openly abusive and communal figure has sparked outrage among citizens, political leaders, and social media users. BJP leaders have openly condemned the silence of Kolkata police, calling it a result of “appeasement politics” and accusing the state government of targeting Sanatanis while shielding radical elements. As demands grow for Khan’s immediate arrest and equal application of the law, this incident has ignited a larger national debate on freedom of expression, double standards, and the politicization of justice in West Bengal.
