The Ashoka University Faculty Association on Sunday defended Professor Ali Khan Mahmudabad after his arrest for his comments on Operation Sindoor, India’s cross-border strikes on terror camps in Pakistan and PoK.
Faculty Association’s Statement on the Arrest
In a statement, the faculty association decried the arrest of Prof Ali Khan Mahmudabad as ‘groundless and untenable.’
“We condemn the calculated harassment to which Professor Mahmudabad has been subjected: after being arrested early in the morning from his home in New Delhi, he was taken to Sonipat, not allowed access to necessary medication, and driven around for hours without any communication about his whereabouts,” the statement read.
Pledge of Solidarity
The faculty association pledged solidarity to their colleague. They described him as a valuable member of the university community. He is a committed citizen and a good friend to his students.
“Professor Mahmudabad is well-versed in diverse literary and linguistic traditions and is a widely acclaimed expert and scholar of history and political science in South Asia and beyond. In all of his writing, both for academic and wider public fora, he has emphasized the importance of justice, pluralism, and solidarity, and has always advocated a profound respect for Constitutional values and morality,” it added.
Prof Mahmudabad’s Contributions
The statement also added that Professor Mahmudabad has educated his students and fellow academics on what it means to be a good citizen-scholar. He is rational, critical, but respectfully and generously open to the world around them.
“All members of the Ashoka community can attest to his personal kindness, his concern for others, and his tireless commitment to sharing his knowledge and resources. We demand the immediate and unconditional release of Professor Mahmudabad. We also demand the dropping of all charges against him,” the statement further read.
Controversial Remarks and Arrest
Prof Ali Khan Mahmudabad’s arrest is days after the Haryana State Commission for Women took suo motu cognisance of his remarks on Army Colonel Sofia Qureshi and Wing Commander Vyomika Singh. They are the faces of India’s Operation Sindoor.
The commission, in a notice, said his comments belittled women officers in the Indian armed forces and incited communal disharmony.
Prof Mahmudabad’s Comments
“I am very happy to see so many right-wing commentators applauding Colonel Sophia Qureshi, but perhaps they could also equally loudly demand protection for the victims of mob lynchings, arbitrary bulldozing, and others who suffer from the BJP’s hate mongering as Indian citizens. The optics of two women soldiers presenting their findings is important, but optics must translate to reality on the ground; otherwise, it’s just hypocrisy,” an excerpt from his post states.
The Haryana State Commission has interpreted his remarks as “an attempt to vilify national military actions.”
