NEW DELHI: The Jawaharlal Nehru University Teachers’ Association (JNUTA) on Sunday backed Ashoka University assistant professor Ali Khan Mahmudabad, who was arrested for his social media post on Operation Sindoor.In a statement, JNUTA called for the immediate release of Mahmudabad, head of political science department at Ashoka University in Sonipat, Haryana.“We express outrage at the wholly unwarranted arrest by the Haryana Police of Dr. Khan. This arrest, purportedly on the basis of a complaint by a leader of the ruling party (BJP), follows soon after the Haryana State Commission for Women acted way beyond its jurisdiction in taking suo motu cognisance of some statements made by Professor Khan,” the statement read, according to news agency PTI.“The JNUTA demands the immediate release of Prof. Khan and the withdrawal of false cases against him. It expresses the hope also that the judicial process will work and work quickly to ensure his legitimate rights are protected and those responsible for misusing the law are held to account,” it added.On Sunday, Mahmudabad was arrested on stringent charges, including those related to “endangering the country’s sovereignty and integrity.” The action was taken days after the Haryana women’s commission sent him a notice over his social media post on the Indian armed forces’ Operation Sindoor against terrorists in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir.In its May 12 notice, the women’s commission cited “concerns” over the academician’s comments allegedly disparaging women in uniform, particularly Wing Commander Vyomika Singh and Colonel Sofiya Qureshi, the military officers who held daily press briefings on Operation Sindoor alongside foreign secretary Vikram Misri.In response, Mahmudabad had clarified his post was “misunderstood.” He asserted he exercised his fundamental right to freedom of speech. He had described the briefings as “optics”. In another comment, he had stated that “right-wing people” applauding Colonel Qureshi should demand protection for victims of mob lynchings and “arbitrary” bulldozing of properties.Mahmudabad’s lawyer has refuted the charges and said the remarks were within the bounds of academic and democratic discourse.
