Ashoka University Professor Ali Khan Mahmudabad arrested over remarks on Operation Sindoor
sparks free speech debate
Sonipat/New Delhi: Ali Khan Mahmudabad, Associate Professor and Head of the Department of Political Science at Ashoka University, has been arrested following remarks made on social media regarding media briefings related to Operation Sindoor. The arrest has ignited a fresh debate on academic freedom and political sensitivities in India.
The arrest was initiated based on a complaint filed by Yogesh Jatheri, General Secretary of the BJP Yuva Morcha in Haryana. According to sources, Mahmudabad was taken from his Delhi residence without a transit remand, prompting criticism from several academics and activists. Delhi University professor Apoorvanand stated, "Haryana police has illegally arrested Dr. Ali Khan. Taken to Haryana from Delhi without transit remand. FIR at 8 PM. Police reached his home the next morning at 7 AM!"
Mahmudabad's remarks, referring to the press briefings by Wing Commander Vyomika Singh and Colonel Sofia Qureshi as "optics," sparked controversy. He had stated, “Optics must translate to reality on the ground, otherwise it’s just hypocrisy,” as reported by PTI.
In response, the Haryana State Commission for Women issued a notice to Mahmudabad, citing suo motu cognisance of public statements made around May 7. However, the professor did not appear before the Commission in Panchkula as required.
Reacting to the developments, Mahmudabad defended his remarks in a public statement on social media platform X. 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.”
He added that his work has always upheld constitutional values. “My academic record, public writings, and policy work, including collaborations with senior bureaucrats, military officers, and politicians, attest to the fact that I have made it a priority to protect the unity and integrity of India,” he said.
Mahmudabad further asserted that his social media posts were aimed at promoting peace and harmony while appreciating the Indian armed forces for their resolve. “I exercised my fundamental right to freedom of thought and speech in order to promote peace and harmony, and to applaud the Indian armed forces for their resolute action,” he said.
Ashoka University issued a statement distancing itself from Mahmudabad’s personal views. “Comments made by a faculty member on his personal social media pages do not represent the opinion of the university. These statements have been made by him independently in his individual capacity,” the university said.
Reaffirming support for the armed forces, the university added, “Ashoka University and all members of the Ashoka community are proud of India's armed forces and support them unequivocally in their actions towards maintaining national security.”
Let the Truth be known. If you read VB and like VB, please be a VB Supporter and Help us deliver the Truth to one and all.
RG Kar crime anniversary: One held for 'assaulting' police constable during protest
Kolkata (PTI): Sleuths of the Kolkata Police on Wednesday arrested a person from here for allegedly being involved in assaulting the guard of an IPS officer during 'Nabanna Abhiyan', a march to the West Bengal secretariat, last week, an officer said.
The person, identified as Chandan Gupta, a resident of Jagatdal in North 24 Parganas district, was arrested from Bow Bazar area in central Kolkata this morning, he said.
"The person has been booked under various sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita for attempting to kill constable Prasanta Poddar, who is a guard of DC SSD Bidisha Kalita Dasgupta. He is being questioned," the officer said.
Chaos and violent agitation dominated the streets of Kolkata and adjacent Howrah on August 9, a day that marked the completion of one year of the rape and murder of the doctor at the state-run RG Kar Medical College and Hospital.
"The search for other accused is underway," he said.
Seven FIRs were filed against several individuals, including BJP MLAs Ashok Dinda, Agnimitra Paul and other leaders, for allegedly obstructing security personnel from performing their duties, assaulting them and causing damage to public properties during the march to the West Bengal secretariat on August 9.
Incidentally, the father of the deceased doctor of the RG Kar Medical College and Hospital filed an FIR, accusing the police of torturing his wife during the protest.
