The Saayoni Ghosh Controversy: A 2015 Tweet Resurfaces, Sparking Outrage in 2025
Posted by Kishan Baraiya on May 31, 2025
In the age of social media, past posts can often come back to haunt public figures, especially when they touch on sensitive topics like religion. On May 31, 2025, a tweet from 2015 by Bengali actress and politician Saayoni Ghosh (@saayoni06) resurfaced, igniting a firestorm of controversy across India. The tweet, which features a cartoon of a woman placing a condom on a Shivling with the caption “Gods cudnt have been more useful!!”, has been widely condemned as blasphemous and offensive to Hindu sentiments. Shared by @atsshow7 on X, the post has reignited debates about freedom of expression, religious sensitivity, and perceived double standards in how India addresses offenses against different communities.
The Resurfaced Tweet and Its Context
The original tweet by Saayoni Ghosh dates back to 2015, a time when the actress was already a known figure in the Bengali film industry. The cartoon depicts a woman in traditional attire placing a condom on a Shivling, a sacred symbol in Hinduism representing Lord Shiva. The caption, “Gods cudnt have been more useful!!”, was interpreted by many as a mockery of Hindu beliefs. When the tweet first surfaced years ago, Ghosh claimed her account had been hacked, calling the post “obnoxious” and distancing herself from it. She stated that she had not been active on Twitter since 2010 and that her PR agent had informed her of the hack.
However, the explanation failed to convince many at the time, and the tweet has now resurfaced in 2025, amid heightened political and social tensions. The X post by @atsshow7, which includes the hashtag #ReleaseSharmistha, questions why Ghosh has not faced legal action despite the offensive nature of the tweet, especially when contrasted with the recent arrest of Sharmistha Panoli, a law student accused of making derogatory remarks against Islam. The post also alleges that Ghosh received a ticket from the Trinamool Congress (TMC) to become a legislator because of her “anti-Hindu” stance, a claim that has further fueled the controversy.
Public Reaction: Outrage and Calls for Justice
The resurfaced tweet has sparked a wave of anger on social media, with many users expressing their frustration over what they see as selective enforcement of laws regarding religious offenses. The X thread under @atsshow7’s post reveals a range of reactions:
- @Adesh39538960 criticized the BJP-led central government for failing to protect Hindus, alleging that Sharmistha’s arrest by Kolkata Police without proper notice was an example of systemic bias. They questioned whether the BJP was waiting for a tragedy to exploit for votes in West Bengal.
- @abhishek8191 asked, “When will the humiliation of Hindus in this country stop?” echoing the sentiment of many who feel that Hindu sentiments are often disregarded.
- @Utsav_1323 pointed out perceived hypocrisy in the legal system, stating that while Ghosh’s tweet has gone unpunished, similar offenses by others lead to swift action, especially if they involve minority communities.
- @Hiteshyad17 went further, blaming the 70% Hindu population of West Bengal for continuing to vote for TMC leader Mamata Banerjee, whom they accuse of enabling such actions.
The outrage is not limited to social media. The controversy has reignited discussions about the need for equal treatment of all religions under the law. @SareJahnSeAchha called on Union Home Minister Amit Shah to amend laws to ensure that abuse of any religion—whether majority or minority—faces the same consequences.
The Sharmistha Panoli Case: A Point of Comparison
The timing of the controversy is significant, as it coincides with the arrest of Sharmistha Panoli, a fourth-year law student from Symbiosis Institute in Pune. On May 30, 2025, Kolkata Police arrested Sharmistha at her residence in Delhi over a now-deleted social media video in which she allegedly made derogatory remarks about Prophet Muhammad. The arrest, which has been widely criticized as heavy-handed, has led to the hashtag #ReleaseSharmistha trending on X. Many users, including those in the thread, argue that the swift action against Sharmistha contrasts sharply with the lack of accountability for Ghosh, highlighting what they see as a double standard in how religious offenses are handled in India.
Saayoni Ghosh’s Defense: A Hack or a Cop-Out?
When the tweet first came to light in 2021, Saayoni Ghosh claimed that her Twitter account had been hacked. She stated that she had not been active on the platform since 2010 and that the post did not reflect her views. However, skeptics have pointed out inconsistencies in her explanation. For instance, around the same time as the controversial tweet, Ghosh had shared promotional content for her films on the same account—a move that seems unlikely for a hacker intent on maligning her image.
This defense has been met with skepticism by netizens, with many calling for legal action against Ghosh. The resurfacing of the tweet in 2025 has only amplified these demands, with users questioning why Ghosh has not faced the same scrutiny as others accused of similar offenses.
The Broader Implications: Freedom of Expression vs. Religious Sensitivity
The Saayoni Ghosh controversy raises important questions about the balance between freedom of expression and respect for religious sentiments in India. The country has a long history of grappling with this issue, with laws like IPC Sections 153A (promoting enmity) and 295A (outraging religious feelings) often invoked in cases of alleged blasphemy. However, the application of these laws has been inconsistent, leading to accusations of bias.
The Economic Times faced similar criticism in 2022 when it published a meme mocking a Shivling, depicting it as the Bhabha Atomic Research Centre with the caption “BOM BHOLENATH.” The publication was accused of insensitivity toward Hindu beliefs, with critics noting that such content would likely not have been published if it targeted another religion. This double standard is a recurring theme in the current controversy, with many arguing that Hindu sentiments are often trivialized in mainstream discourse.
At the same time, the arrest of Sharmistha Panoli highlights the other side of the debate: the risk of overreach in policing speech. Her arrest, which took place without a proper notice according to some users, has been criticized as an example of authorities bowing to pressure from specific communities, raising concerns about the misuse of blasphemy laws to silence dissent.
What’s Next?
The Saayoni Ghosh controversy is unlikely to die down anytime soon. With the #ReleaseSharmistha movement gaining traction, the contrast between Ghosh’s lack of accountability and Sharmistha’s arrest has become a rallying point for those demanding equal treatment under the law. The involvement of political parties like the TMC and BJP has further complicated the situation, turning a social media controversy into a broader political debate.
For now, the public awaits a response from Saayoni Ghosh, who has yet to address the latest wave of criticism. Will she stand by her earlier claim of a hack, or will she offer a new explanation? More importantly, will authorities take action, or will this be another instance of selective justice?
As this story unfolds, it serves as a reminder of the power of social media to hold individuals accountable—sometimes years after the fact—and the ongoing challenge of navigating religious sensitivities in a diverse, pluralistic society like India.
What do you think? Should freedom of expression take precedence over religious sentiments, or should there be stricter laws to protect all communities equally? Share your thoughts in the comments below!