Ali Khan Mahmudabad, an Associate Professor and Head of the Political Science Department at Ashoka University, was arrested on May 18, 2025, following a complaint by Yogesh Jatheri, a BJP Yuva Morcha leader in Haryana.
Ali Khan Mahmudabad, an Associate Professor and Head of the Political Science Department at Ashoka University, was arrested on May 18, 2025, following a complaint by Yogesh Jatheri, a BJP Yuva Morcha leader in Haryana.
The arrest stemmed from Mahmudabad’s social media comments on Operation Sindoor, a military strike by Indian forces on May 7, 2025, targeting terror infrastructure in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir in retaliation for the April 22, 2025, Pahalgam terror attack that killed 26 people.
Mahmudabad described media briefings by women officers, Colonel Sofia Qureshi and Wing Commander Vyomika Singh, as “optics” and “hypocrisy,” suggesting that the showcased diversity must translate to real-world action to avoid being superficial.
In a Facebook post, he noted, “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 Haryana State Commission for Women took suo motu cognizance of these remarks, issuing a notice on May 12, 2025, claiming they disparaged women officers and promoted communal disharmony.
The commission’s notice, led by chairperson Renu Bhatia, cited six concerns: disparagement of women in uniform, misrepresentation of facts through terms like “genocide” and “dehumanisation,” vilification of military actions, incitement of communal unrest, violation of women’s dignity, and breach of University Grants Commission ethical conduct regulations. Mahmudabad was summoned to appear on May 14, 2025, but did not attend, citing late notification, though his lawyers submitted a response.
In his defense, Mahmudabad argued that his comments were misunderstood, emphasizing that he praised the armed forces’ choice of Qureshi and Singh to highlight India’s diversity.
He denied misogyny, stating, “The screenshots attached to the notice make it clear that my remarks have been completely misunderstood and that the Commission has no jurisdiction whatsoever in the matter.
” He described the summons as censorship and harassment, asserting his posts aimed to promote peace and protect citizens.
The arrest, executed without a transit remand from Delhi to Haryana, sparked controversy. Delhi University professor Apoorvanand called it illegal, referencing a Supreme Court judgment. An open letter signed by over 1,200 academics and civil society members demanded the commission retract its summons and apologize, framing the action as an attack on free speech.
Ashoka University distanced itself, stating Mahmudabad’s views were personal and reaffirming support for the armed forces. The charges against him include acts prejudicial to communal harmony, inciting armed rebellion, and insulting religious beliefs under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita.
What did Ali Khan Mahmudabad say?
Ali Khan Mahmudabad, an Associate Professor at Ashoka University, made social media comments on May 7, 2025, regarding the media briefings for Operation Sindoor, a military strike by India targeting terrorist infrastructure in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir. His remarks, primarily on Facebook, sparked controversy leading to his arrest on May 18, 2025.
Below are the key points of what he said, based on available information:
Critique of Media Briefings as “Optics”: Mahmudabad described the choice of women officers, Colonel Sofia Qureshi and Wing Commander Vyomika Singh, to brief the media on Operation Sindoor as “optics” and “hypocrisy.” He suggested that showcasing diversity in the armed forces was superficial unless it translated into broader societal action.
Specific Facebook Post: In one post, he wrote, “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.” This was interpreted by critics as linking the military operation to domestic communal issues.
Call for Consistency: He argued that the diversity highlighted in the briefings (e.g., a Muslim woman officer) should reflect in protecting all Indian citizens, particularly minorities, from violence and discrimination. He implied that praising the armed forces’ inclusivity while ignoring domestic issues was inconsistent.
Response to Summons: In his defense after receiving a notice from the Haryana State Commission for Women on May 12, 2025, Mahmudabad clarified that his comments were misunderstood. He stated, “The screenshots attached to the notice make it clear that my remarks have been completely misunderstood and that the Commission has no jurisdiction whatsoever in the matter.” He emphasized that he praised the armed forces’ choice of Qureshi and Singh to showcase India’s diversity and denied any misogynistic intent.
Broader Context: His posts also referenced terms like “genocide” and “dehumanisation” in the context of India-Pakistan tensions, which the Haryana Commission alleged misrepresented facts and incited communal unrest. However, exact quotes using these terms are not fully detailed in available sources.
Mahmudabad’s comments were seen by critics, including the Haryana State Commission for Women and BJP Yuva Morcha leader Yogesh Jatheri, as disparaging women officers, vilifying military actions, and promoting communal disharmony. He maintained that his intent was to promote peace and highlight the need for equal protection of citizens, describing the backlash as an attempt at censorship.
For precise quotes, access to his original social media posts would be needed, but these have not been publicly archived in full. The above summary is drawn from reports and his legal response to the commission’s notice.