The Supreme Court on Monday agreed to hear a petition filed by Ashoka University professor Ali Khan Mahmudabad, who was arrested for his controversial comments on social media regarding India’s “Operation Sindoor.” The arrest has sparked debate over freedom of expression, alleged political targeting, and the boundaries of public commentary on national security matters.
Senior advocate Kapil Sibal, appearing on behalf of Professor Mahmudabad, brought the matter before a bench of the Supreme Court and sought urgent listing. The bench accepted the request, announcing that the plea would be heard within the next two days.
Ali Khan Mahmudabad, who heads the Department of Political Science at Ashoka University in Sonipat, Haryana, was taken into custody following remarks he made on social media about India’s military operation targeting terror bases in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir, code-named "Operation Sindoor."
His comments attracted strong criticism, especially after they were linked to a broader narrative around the participation of women officers in the armed forces. A formal complaint was lodged by Yogesh Jatheri, general secretary of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) Yuva Morcha in Haryana. Subsequently, the Haryana State Commission for Women took suo motu cognisance of Mahmudabad’s statements.
In its notice, the women’s commission claimed that Mahmudabad's remarks not only undermined the credibility and role of female officers in the Indian military but also stoked communal tensions. The commission expressed concerns that such statements could damage social harmony and morale within the armed forces.
Mahmudabad’s contentious comments were directed at the initial press briefing on Operation Sindoor, which featured senior women officers — Colonel Sofia Qureshi and Wing Commander Vyomika Singh — alongside Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri.
In a social media post, Mahmudabad had written:
“I am very happy to see so many right-wing commentators applauding Colonel Sophia Qureishi, but perhaps they could also equally loudly demand that the victims of mob lynchings, arbitrary bulldozing and others who are victims of the BJP's hate mongering be protected as Indian citizens. The optics of two women soldiers presenting their findings is important, but optics must translate to reality on the ground, otherwise it’s just hypocrisy.”
The statement was viewed by critics as disparaging to the contributions of women in uniform and accused Mahmudabad of politicising a sensitive national security matter. His supporters, however, argue that he was expressing concern over the broader socio-political climate in the country.
Also Read: 'Women’s panel misread my social media post': Ashoka varsity prof
Who is Ali Khan Mahmudabad?
Ali Khan Mahmudabad, 42, is a prominent academic, writer, poet, and political commentator. He serves as the Head of the Department of Political Science at Ashoka University. Beyond academia, Mahmudabad has also been active in the public sphere. In 2017, he joined the Samajwadi Party, briefly stepping into active politics. He is married to the daughter of Haseeb Drabu, a former Finance Minister in Jammu and Kashmir.
Mahmudabad’s arrest has triggered strong reactions from academics, human rights advocates, and civil society members, many of whom describe the move as an attempt to intimidate intellectual voices. A group of Ashoka University faculty members have called the arrest “calculated harassment” and an infringement on academic freedom and democratic discourse.
As the Supreme Court prepares to hear his petition, the case continues to draw national attention, raising critical questions about the limits of free speech, the role of dissent, and the accountability of public intellectuals in times of heightened national tension.
Also Read: Ashoka University Prof arrested over post on Operation Sindoor
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