Ashoka University professor arrested over Operation Sindoor remarks
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Sonipat: Ashoka University associate professor Ali Khan Mahmudabad was arrested on Sunday in connection with his social media posts concerning Operation Sindoor, police confirmed. The arrest followed a complaint lodged by a BJP Yuva Morcha leader.
Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP) Ajeet Singh Rai stated that Mahmudabad was taken into custody from Delhi. The arrest pertains to certain remarks linked to Operation Sindoor.
Ashoka University released a statement acknowledging the arrest: "We have been made aware that Prof Ali Khan Mahmudabad has been taken into police custody earlier today. We are in the process of ascertaining details of the case. The University will continue to cooperate fully with the police and local authorities in the investigation."
The arrest comes shortly after the Haryana State Commission for Women issued a notice to Mahmudabad regarding his remarks on Operation Sindoor. The notice, dated May 12, highlighted that the Commission had taken suo motu cognisance of "public statements/remarks" made by Mahmudabad around May 7. He serves as the head of the Political Science Department at Ashoka University’s Sonipat campus.
Commission chairperson Renu Bhatia expressed disappointment over Mahmudabad’s comments, especially considering his position as a political science professor. She praised Colonel Sofiya Qureshi and Wing Commander Vyomika Singh, whom Mahmudabad’s remarks targeted, saying, "We salute the country's daughters—Colonel Sofiya Qureshi and Wing Commander Vyomika Singh. But the kind of words the professor who teaches political science has used for them... I expected that he would at least present himself before the commission today and express regret."
Mahmudabad’s statements were annexed to the Commission’s notice. In one comment, he criticised right-wing supporters of Colonel Qureshi, urging them to demand protection for victims of mob lynching and arbitrary demolition of properties. He also described the media briefings by Colonel Qureshi and Wing Commander Singh as mere "optics," adding, "But optics must translate to reality on the ground, otherwise it's just hypocrisy."
The Haryana State Commission for Women noted that Mahmudabad’s remarks raised concerns about disparagement of women in uniform, specifically targeting Colonel Qureshi and Wing Commander Singh, and undermining their roles as professional officers in the Indian Armed Forces. Wing Commander Vyomika Singh had participated in media briefings alongside Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri and Colonel Qureshi regarding Operation Sindoor.
Operation Sindoor, launched in the early hours of May 7, involved the Indian armed forces striking terror infrastructure in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir in retaliation for the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack.
In response to the Commission’s notice, Mahmudabad stated that his comments had been misinterpreted. 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 further defended his statements, saying he exercised his fundamental right to freedom of thought and speech to promote peace and harmony, applaud the Indian armed forces for their resolute action, and criticise those who spread hatred and seek to destabilise India.
With PTI inputs
