Ali Khan Mahmudabad, associate professor and head of the Political Science department at Ashoka University in Haryana, has been arrested in Delhi following a social media post he made regarding Operation Sindoor — India’s military retaliation against Pakistan after the Pahalgam terror attacks.
The arrest came after a complaint was lodged by a member of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)’s youth wing. In addition, the Haryana State Commission for Women had issued a notice to the professor in connection with his remarks.
The notice from the Commission cited parts of Mahmudabad’s post, where he questioned the widespread praise, particularly from right-wing supporters, for Colonel Sofia Qureshi. In his post, Mahmudabad urged that those applauding military personnel should also raise their voices for victims of mob lynchings and the “arbitrary” demolition of homes. The Commission interpreted these statements as having communal undertones and accused the professor of misrepresenting facts.
According to the Commission, Mahmudabad used words like "genocide," "dehumanisation," and "hypocrisy" in a way that suggested malicious intent by the Indian government and armed forces, thereby potentially inciting communal unrest and disturbing public harmony.
Assistant Commissioner of Police Ajeet Singh confirmed the arrest, stating that it was made in connection with Mahmudabad’s remarks on Operation Sindoor. The Haryana police are currently handling the case.
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Chairperson of the Women’s Commission, Renu Bhatia, criticised the professor for not appearing before the panel on May 15 despite being summoned. "We salute the country's daughters — Colonel Sofia Qureshi and Wing Commander Vyomika Singh. But the kind of words the professor has used for them… I expected at least that he would come before the Commission and express regret," Bhatia said.
Mahmudabad, however, defended his statements, saying his comments were taken out of context and misinterpreted. In a post on social media, he said, "I am surprised that the Women's Commission, while overreaching its jurisdiction, has misread and misunderstood my posts to such an extent that they have inverted their meaning."
In an official statement, after Mahmudabad’s arrest, Ashoka University said, “We are in the process of ascertaining details of the case. The University will continue to cooperate with the Police and local authorities in the investigation, fully.”
Also Read: Ashoka varsity prof fails to appear before women’s panel
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