New Delhi: The police have confirmed that Ashoka University Professor Ali Khan Mahmudabad has been arrested for his controversial comments on social media about India’s ‘Operation Sindoor.’ The arrest comes after the Haryana State Commission for Women took suo motu cognisance of his comments on Colonel Sofia Qureshi and Wing Commander Vyomika Singh – the two women officers of the Indian military who briefed the nation about Operation Sindoor.
“Ali Khan Mahmudabad has been arrested in Delhi,” Rai Ajeet Singh, additional commissioner of police (ACP), told the media.
In its notice, the Commission stated that his remarks undermined women officers in the Indian armed forces and fomented communal discord. Mahmudabad had described the media briefings as “optics” and “just hypocrisy”.
“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 optics of two women soldiers presenting their findings is important, but optics must translate to reality on the ground, otherwise it’s just hypocrisy,” he stated in his post.
According to the Commission, his remarks were “an attempt to vilify national military actions”. Mahmudabad, in his response to the summons, stated that his social media posts on Operation Sindoor and the women officers involved were not misogynistic and that he was being censored.
“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. The Women’s Commission is a body that serves an important function; however, the summons issued to me fails to highlight how my post is contrary to the rights of or laws for women,” he posted on X.
Ashoka University has steered clear of the controversy and said: “Comments made by a faculty member on his personal social media pages do not represent the opinion of the university. These statements have been made by him independently in his individual capacity. Ashoka University and all members of the Ashoka community are proud of India’s armed forces and support them unequivocally in their actions towards maintaining national security. We stand in solidarity with the nation and our forces.”
