Vishal Dadlani questions arrest of Ashoka University Professor Ali Khan Mahmudabad
New Delhi: Noted singer and music composer Vishal Dadlani has come out in support of Ali Khan Mahmudabad, Associate Professor of Political Science at Ashoka University, who was arrested by Haryana Police on May 18 over his social media posts related to ‘Operation Sindoor’.
In a strong statement posted on Facebook, Dadlani shared one of Professor Mahmudabad’s controversial posts and questioned the basis of the arrest. “What about this post is wrong or arrest-worthy?” he wrote, expressing shock over the charges imposed on the academic.
Dadlani’s comment is among the first public reactions from a celebrity in the entertainment industry regarding the arrest, which has sparked outrage across academic and civil society circles.
Professor Mahmudabad was arrested after two FIRs were registered against him at Sonipat’s Rai Police Station. The complaints were filed by Haryana State Women Commission Chairperson Renu Bhatia and BJP Yuva Morcha general-secretary Yogesh Jathedi. He faces serious charges under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, including promoting enmity and endangering the country's sovereignty and integrity.
The arrest has drawn criticism from several quarters. The Faculty Association of Ashoka University released a statement condemning what they called “calculated harassment” and “groundless charges”. The Association said Professor Mahmudabad is a respected academic who has always worked to promote communal harmony and responsible dialogue.
His lawyer, Kapil Balyan, told the media that similar views have been expressed on social media by retired Army officers and political leaders without facing such action. He also revealed that Professor Mahmudabad was not given access to essential medicines and was driven around for hours after being picked up from his home in New Delhi.
The Haryana State Women’s Commission had earlier summoned Mahmudabad over his posts, claiming that they disparaged women officers involved in the military operation. In response, Mahmudabad had issued a public statement saying his words were misinterpreted and that he only intended to promote peace and applaud the armed forces.
Known for his outspoken political views, Dadlani has often criticised government policies and has been vocal on issues of civil liberties.
As the case proceeds, Mahmudabad remains in police and judicial custody across the two FIRs and is expected to be produced in court again on May 20.
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South African police arrest suspect in mass shooting that killed 12, including 3 children
Johannesburg (AP): A 32-year-old suspect has been arrested in connection with a mass shooting which claimed the lives of 12 people including three children at an unlicensed pub earlier this month, South African police said on Monday.
The man is suspected of being one of the three people who opened fire on patrons in a pub at Saulsville township, west of South Africa's capital Pretoria, killing 12 people including three children aged 3, 12 and 16.
At least 13 people were also injured during the attack, whose motive remains unknown.
According to the police, the suspect was arrested on Sunday while traveling to Botlokwa in Limpopo province, more than 340 km from where the mass shooting took place on Dec 6.
An unlicensed firearm believed to have been used during the attack was recovered from the suspect's vehicle.
“The 32-year-old suspect was intercepted by Limpopo Tracking Team on the R101 Road in Westenburg precinct. During the arrest, the team recovered an unlicensed firearm, a hand gun, believed to have been used in the commission of the multiple murders. The firearm will be taken to the Forensic Science Laboratory for ballistic analysis,” police said in statement.
The suspect was arrested on the same day that another mass shooting at a pub took place in the Bekkersdal township, west of Johannesburg, in which nine people were killed and 10 wounded when unknown gunmen opened fire on patrons.
Police have since launched a search for the suspects.
South Africa has one of the highest homicide rates in the world and recorded more than 26,000 homicides in 2024 — an average of more than 70 a day. Firearms are by far the leading cause of death in homicides.
The country of 62 million people has relatively strict gun ownership laws, but many killings are committed with illegal guns, according to authorities.
According to police, mass shootings at unlicensed bars are becoming a serious problem. Police shut down more than 11,000 illegal taverns between April and September this year and arrested more than 18,000 people for involvement in illegal liquor sales.
