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What did arrested Ashoka University professor say about Operation Sindoor?
The arrest comes days after the Haryana State Commission for Women took suo motu cognisance of his comments.
Ashoka University Professor Ali Khan Mahmudabad, who recently sparked a controversy after his remarks on social media about India's ‘Operation Sindoor,' has been arrested, police said on Sunday.
"Ali Khan Mahmudabad has been arrested in Delhi," Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP), Rai Ajeet Singh told PTI.
The arrest comes days after the Haryana State Commission for Women took suo motu cognisance of his comments on Army Colonel Sofia Qureshi and Wing Commander Vyomika Singh.
In a notice, the commission stated that his remarks undermined women officers in the Indian armed forces and fomented communal discord.
What did Ashoka University professor say on Op Sindoor?
Mahmudabad had described the initial media briefings on ‘Operation Sindoor’ by women officers-- Col Sofia Qureshi and Wing Commander Vyomika Singh as “optics” and “just hypocrisy”.
Colonel Sofiya Qureshi and Wing Commander Vyomika Singh had held media briefings along with Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri during the initial phase of Operation Sindoor, India's military action on Pakistan following the Pahalgam terror attack.
“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,” an excerpt from his post read.
The Haryana State Commission has interpreted his remarks as “an attempt to vilify national military actions”.
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In a post on Facebook, which was attached with the notice by the commission, Mahmudabad had written, “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.”
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 wrote on X.
Ashoka University on professor's controversial remark
Ashoka University, in a statement, 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," it said.
