Ashoka University teachers condemn arrest of professor, says calculated harassment

The Faculty Association of Ashoka University on Sunday condemned the arrest of Associate Professor Ali Khan Mahmudabad for his Operation Sindoor comments and sought his immediate and unconditional release.

In a statement, the Faculty Association condemned the arrest as being founded on "groundless and untenable charges" and described it as an outright case of calculated harassment.

"We denounce the strategic harassment to which Professor Mahmudabad has been subjected: after being arrested in the early morning hours from his residence in New Delhi, he was taken to Sonipat, denied access to required medication, and driven around for hours with no word of where he was," the association stated.

Mahmudabad, the head of the University's Department of Political Science, was arrested on Sunday morning in New Delhi for social media posts regarding "Operation Sindoor."

Two FIRs were lodged against him on police and legal advice, with strong charges, including those against threatening the sovereignty of India and encouraging enmity between groups.

The faculty group expressed strong solidarity with Mahmudabad, terming him a committed scholar who has worked relentlessly for communal harmony and social welfare.

"His integrity, compassion, and tireless efforts to educate and empower people are guaranteed by every member of the Ashoka community," the statement said.

The Association demanded that the charges against all of them be withdrawn forthwith and reiterated the importance of safeguarding academic freedom and civil liberties.

On the other hand, Ashoka University released a statement that it was attempting to gather information regarding the case.

"We have been informed that Prof Ali Khan Mahmudabad has been taken into police custody today. We are attempting to ascertain information of the case," the university stated.

Mahmudabad's arrest comes a short while after the Haryana State Commission for Women served a notice regarding his comments on Operation Sindoor. The professor has insisted that his statements were misinterpreted and that he was just exercising his right to free speech under the constitution.

Rai Commissioner of Police Ajeet Singh confirmed Mahmudabad's arrest in Delhi as being connected to his recent utterances. Deputy Commissioner of Police Narender Kadyan further stated that two FIRs had been lodged at Rai Police station—one in the complaint of Renu Bhatia, chairperson, Haryana State Commission for Women, and the other by a village sarpanch.

"On the complaint of Commission chairperson, FIR has been filed against Prof Ali of Ashoka University under BNS sections 152 (acts prejudicial to sovereignty or unity or integrity of India), 353 (statements promoting public mischief), 79 (deliberate acts done with intent to insult the modesty of a woman) and 196 (1) (incitement to enmity between classes on grounds of religion)," Kadyan informed the media.