Indian academic faces arrest for Facebook post

Ali Khan Mahmudabad, a political science lecturer at Ashoka University, was taken into custody on Sunday in New Delhi after he put up a Facebook post about India's recent military action against Pakistan. His arrest followed a complaint lodged by Yogesh Jatheri, the general secretary of the youth branch of the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in Haryana.

The complaint surfaced shortly after Mahmudabad expressed on May 8: 
“I am delighted to see numerous right-wing commentators praising Colonel Sophia Qureishi, but perhaps they should also equally vocally demand that the victims of mob lynchings, indiscriminate demolitions, and others who are targets of the BJP’s hate speech be safeguarded as Indian citizens.”

Colonel Qureishi and Wing Commander Vyomika Singh had been conducting press briefings on Operation Sindoor, India's violation of international law initiated on May 6. The operation, which involved missile and drone strikes, led to a charged response by Pakistan. The military stand off between the two nuclear-armed nations concluded with a ceasefire announced on May 10. 

Mahmudabad’s comment referenced Colonel Qureishi’s background as a Muslim officer, highlighting the inconsistency in celebrating diversity within the military while simultaneously targeting Muslim communities in India. His remarks led to a summons from the Haryana State Commission for Women, which asserted that he had insulted female officers and incited communal discord.

On May 14, Mahmudabad issued a public statement refuting the allegations. He claimed his comments had been taken out of context and misunderstood. He maintained that the post recognized the military’s restraint while urging consistent treatment of citizens by the state. “There is nothing at all misogynistic about my remarks,” he stated. “In fact, the essence of my comments was about protecting the lives of both civilians and soldiers.”

He also condemned the misuse of legal avenues to suppress political discourse, describing the summons as an overreach by the Women’s Commission. He asserted that his academic pursuits and public pronouncements have consistently aimed to foster peace, unity, and adherence to constitutional principles.

An open letter, endorsed by over 1,200 academics and public figures, expressed solidarity with Mahmudabad, asserting that his remarks underscored the military’s strategic moderation and upheld the secular ideals espoused by India’s founders.

Mahmudabad has indicated his intention to take legal action against those making defamatory statements and continues to assert his entitlement to free speech.