Who is Ali Khan Mahmudabad? Ashoka University professor arrested over 'Operation Sindoor' remarks sparks national debate

NEW DELHI: Ali Khan Mahmudabad, an associate professor at Ashoka University, was arrested by Haryana Police on Sunday, following a social media post concerning Operation Sindoor—India's military action in Pakistan and PoK in after the deadly Pahalgam attack. Mahmudabad is an associate professor at Ashoka University, where he heads the political science department. His post was perceived by some as critical of the military and disrespectful to women officers, particularly Colonel Sofia Qureshi and Wing Commander Vyomika Singh, who had represented the armed forces during media briefings on Operation Sindoor. The Haryana State Commission for Women had issued a notice to Mahmudabad, alleging that his remarks misrepresented facts and could incite communal disharmony. The commission stated that his comments revealed a misrepresentation of facts with repeated references to "genocide," "dehumanisation," and "hypocrisy," attributing malicious communal intent to the government and the armed forces .In a paragraph in his May 9 post, this is what Mahmudabad wrote: "Strategically, India has actually begun a new phase in terms of collapsing distinction between military and terrorist (non-state actors) in Pakistan. In effect, the response to any terrorist activity will invite a conventional response and so this puts the onus on the Pakistani military to make sure that it cannot hide any longer behind terrorists and non-state actors. In any case, the Pak military has used militarised non-state actors to destabilise the region for far too long while also claiming to be victims on the international stage. It has also used the same actors - some of whom were targeted in the recent strikes - to foment sectarian tension in Pakistan. Operation Sindoor resets all received notions of Indo-Pak relationships as the response to terrorist attacks will be met with a military response and removes any semantic distinction between the two. Despite this collapse, care has been taken by the Indian armed forces to not target military or civilian installations..."Mahmudabad responded by stating that his comments were misunderstood. He clarified that his intent was to critique warmongering rhetoric and highlight issues such as civilian suffering in wars and the need to protect all Indian citizens, including minority groups. He emphasized his support for the Indian military’s measured approach and condemned the use of terrorism by Pakistan.Arrest and legal proceedingsOn May 18, 2025, Mahmudabad was arrested by the Haryana Police in connection with his social media post. The arrest was based on a complaint filed by a BJP Yuva Morcha leader. He was detained from his residence in Delhi and held at the Rai police station in Haryana. Mahmudabad filed a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) challenging his arrest, and the Supreme Court of India agreed to hear the case, indicating the beginning of judicial scrutiny into the circumstances and legality surrounding his detention.Support and reactionsMahmudabad's arrest sparked widespread support from students, colleagues, and political figures. Students from his "Banish the Poets" course at Ashoka University released a statement condemning his arrest, asserting that it violated academic freedom and the principles he imparted—reason, compassion, justice, and freedom of thought. They emphasized the professor’s influence in fostering meaningful dialogue and critical thinking, urging Ashoka University to support him.Colleagues from Ashoka University kept vigil at the police station in shifts, showing solidarity during his detention . The Congress party criticized the Modi-led BJP government for what it termed "double standards," suggesting that Mahmudabad's identity may have played a role in his arrest.