As protests grew over the lack of action against Sharmishta, a law student from Symbiosis College in Pune, for her derogatory remark against Prophet Mohammed, the Maharashtra police were forced on Tuesday, May 20, to file an FIR against her under various sections of the BNS, including promoting hatred or enmity between religious communities.
The post, shared on May 14 through her X account, Sharmishta_19, reportedly contained language that insulted Islam and provoked outrage from the Muslim community.
Following widespread condemnation, including demands for legal action from community leaders, the police registered a First Information Report (FIR) against her under sections 196 (promoting hatred or enmity between religious communities), 299 (deliberate and malicious act intended to outrage religious feelings), and 353 (public mischief) of the Bharatiya Nyay Sanhita (BNS).
The FIR was lodged after the post gained significant traction online and led to sharp criticism from various quarters.
The remarks, though deleted soon after the backlash, had already gone viral, which triggered public protests and prompted political leaders to call for immediate accountability. The student's post was viewed as an attempt to incite religious disharmony, and many social media users accused her of spreading hate under the guise of personal opinion.
In response to the mounting criticism and legal action, the student issued an unconditional apology and expressed regret over the post, stating that she had not intended to hurt anyone’s sentiments, although the authorities proceeded with legal steps based on the content and its implications.