Ashoka University Professor Arrested Over Posts on Operation Sindoor
| 2025-05-18
An associate professor at India’s Ashoka University has been arrested over social media comments relating to Operation Sindoor, prompting a political and academic outcry across the country.
Ashoka University professor Ali Khan Mahmudabad arrested by Haryana Police for social media posts criticising Operation Sindoor and remarks about women officers.
Ali Khan Mahmudabad, an associate professor and head of the Political Science department at Ashoka University in the northern Indian state of Haryana, was taken into custody on Sunday, 18 May 2025, by Haryana Police. The arrest follows a complaint regarding his social media remarks about Operation Sindoor, India’s military response to the Pahalgam terror attacks.
According to Assistant Commissioner of Police Ajeet Singh, the arrest was made in Delhi and is linked to a First Information Report (FIR) registered at Rai Police Station in Sonipat district. The FIR was reportedly filed after a complaint by a member of the youth wing of India’s ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).
The controversy centres around Mahmudabad’s critical comments made online in the aftermath of Operation Sindoor. Among the concerns raised were his references to "genocide", "dehumanisation", and "hypocrisy"—terms the Haryana State Commission for Women said were misused to attribute malicious intent to the Indian government and armed forces.
The Commission had issued a summons to the professor on 12 May, expressing concern over his remarks. In its notice, the panel stated that Mahmudabad’s comments undermined the professional contributions of women officers, notably Colonel Sofia Qureshi and Wing Commander Vyomika Singh, and accused him of inciting communal unrest.
“We salute the country’s daughters — Colonel Sofia Qureshi and Wing Commander Vyomika Singh,” said Commission Chairperson Renu Bhatia. “But the kind of words the professor... has used for them... I expected he would at least present himself before the commission and express regret.”
Mahmudabad failed to appear before the Commission on 15 May as requested. In response to the notice, he defended his position, claiming that the panel had misunderstood his comments.
“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,” Mahmudabad wrote on social media.
He also asserted that his remarks were made in a personal capacity and not on behalf of Ashoka University. The institution echoed this position in an earlier statement and has since confirmed it is cooperating with law enforcement.
“We have been made aware that Prof. Ali Khan Mahmudabad has been taken into police custody earlier today,” the university said. “We are in the process of ascertaining details of the case. The University will continue to cooperate with the Police and local authorities in the investigation, fully.”
Political and Academic Response
The arrest has triggered widespread debate on freedom of expression in India, with reactions pouring in from political leaders, civil rights advocates, and academia.
All India Majlis-e-Ittehad-ul-Muslimeen (AIMIM) leader Asaduddin Owaisi condemned the arrest, stating it was an attempt to suppress dissent.
“Utterly condemnable,” Owaisi said on social media. “This targets an individual for his opinions; his post wasn’t anti-national or misogynistic. A mere complaint by a BJP worker made Haryana Police take action.”
Senior Communist Party of India (Marxist) leader Subhashini Ali also criticised the arrest, describing it as “just shocking.”
Many academics have also raised concerns about academic freedom and the potential chilling effect on university discourse.
Operation Sindoor was launched by the Indian military as a retaliatory measure following a deadly attack in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir, earlier this month. The operation was widely covered by Indian media and praised by political leaders and nationalist groups for its swift execution.
Women officers such as Colonel Qureshi and Wing Commander Singh received significant public and media attention for their roles in the mission. Their inclusion was hailed as a milestone for gender representation in the Indian armed forces.
However, Mahmudabad’s post reportedly challenged the celebratory tone, calling for a more holistic discussion on justice, including issues like mob violence and forced evictions. His comments led to fierce criticism from some quarters and legal action from others.
The incident has reignited debate in India over the limits of free speech, particularly for public intellectuals and university faculty. It has also raised questions about the role of state commissions and the legal framework surrounding online expression in the country.
As of now, Mahmudabad remains in police custody as further legal proceedings are expected to follow in the coming days.
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