Ashoka University Professor Moves Supreme Court After Arrest Over Facebook Post on ‘Operation Sindoor’

(Syed Ali Taher Abedi)

New Delhi 19-May,2025 – In a case that has sparked national debate over free speech, Ashoka University professor Ali Khan Mahmudabad has approached the Supreme Court seeking relief following his arrestby Haryana Police over a Facebook post related to ‘Operation Sindoor’, India’s military response to the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack.

Senior advocate Kapil Sibal mentioned the matter before Chief Justice of India Justice BR Gavai (CJI), and Augustine George Masih today, urging an urgent hearing. “He has been proceeded against for what is, in essence, a patriotic statement,” said Sibal, adding that the professor was remanded to police custody for two days after a magistrate’s order on Sunday.

Mahmudabad was arrested in Delhi and taken into custody following the registration of two separate FIRs in Haryana.

What Is Operation Sindoor?

‘Operation Sindoor’ refers to India’s cross-border strike against terror launchpads in Pakistan, launched in response to the Pahalgam attack that claimed the lives of 26 Indian civilians. In his post, Mahmudabad wrote that India had sent a clear message to Pakistan: “If you don’t deal with your terrorism problem, then we will.”

However, he also criticized warmongering rhetoric, stating that the loss of civilian lives is tragic on both sides and that war should always be a last resort. He pointed out that many who advocate for war have never seen one, nor visited a conflict zone.

Controversy Over Remarks on Women Officers

A significant point of contention was Mahmudabad’s reference to Colonel Sofia Qureshi and Wing Commander Vyomika Singh, who led the press briefing on Operation Sindoor. While he praised their role, he urged that such optics be matched with real change on the ground, especially regarding the treatment of victims of mob lynchings and demolitions. Otherwise, he warned, it would be mere tokenism.

Legal Charges

The first FIR, filed by Yogesh Jatheri, includes charges under various sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS):

• Section 196 (Promoting enmity),
• Section 197 (Statements against national integration),
• Section 152 (Endangering national unity), and
• Section 299 (Culpable homicide).

A second FIR was registered following a complaint by Haryana Women’s Commission chairperson Renu Bhatia, citing:

• Section 353 (Public mischief),
• Section 79 (Insult to the modesty of women), and
• Section 152 again for national unity concerns.

The Women’s Commission had earlier condemned the post, claiming it was disparaging to women officers and promoted communal disharmony.

Professor Defends His Comments

In a statement posted on X (formerly Twitter), Mahmudabad said his remarks had been misrepresented and taken out of context, calling the commission’s interpretation a complete inversion of his intent.

Mahmudabad is expected to be produced before the trial court on May 20 at 2:00 PM. The Supreme Court is likely to hear his plea shortly.