Sonipat– Ali Khan Mahmudabad, an associate professor and head of the Political Science Department at Ashoka University, was arrested on Sunday following a complaint by Yogesh Jatheri, general secretary of the Bharatiya Janata Party’s (BJP) Yuva Morcha in Haryana.

The arrest stems from a social media post by Mahmudabad commenting on India’s military operation, Operation Sindoor, launched on May 7 in response to the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack that claimed 26 lives. The professor’s remarks have ignited a heated debate over freedom of expression, communal harmony, and selective enforcement of the law.

The arrest was based on a First Information Report (FIR) filed on May 17, charging Mahmudabad under sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) for allegedly inciting armed rebellion, insulting religious beliefs, and disturbing communal harmony.

The complainant stated, " I frequently visit Ashoka University located in Sonipat, where Professor Ali Khan Mehmoodabad has been a professor for a long time. India responded to the inhumane attack carried out by Pakistan in Pahalgam by attacking terrorist hideouts in Pakistan on 06.05.2025. The press briefing of this entire operation was also being done by female officer Colonel Sophia Qureshi. At that time, Professor Ali Khan Mehmoodabad had said that the government is bringing Colonel Sophia forward just for show in the media, otherwise the government keeps working against Muslim people and their religion, and now Sophia Qureshi is being brought forward. Professor Ali Khan also said that due to some crazy military personnel in both countries, there is tension on the border like this, and people are being thrown to their death arbitrarily, unexpectedly and unnecessarily. Whereas I myself am a patriotic educated citizen and belong to a patriotic military family. In this regard, Professor Ali Khan has posted on his social media platforms X and Facebook on 8th May 2025. It is clear that this action was taken against terrorist hideouts in Pakistan in response to the inhumane terrorist attack carried out by Pakistan. In which all the people of the country were in cooperation with the army, all patriots stood with their country at such a time. Whereas this Professor Ali Khan kept working to incite people against the country at such a sensitive time. Instead of uniting people to fight against external forces at such a sensitive time, this professor kept inciting sentiments and working to benefit external or foreign forces in the name of religion. I am hurt by this. And I want strict legal action against Professor Alikhan Mehmoodabad."

The arrest has drawn sharp criticism from academics, activists, and political figures. Political analyst Yogendra Yadav condemned the action on X, questioning how Mahmudabad’s post could be deemed anti-women, religiously inflammatory, or a threat to India’s sovereignty. “What was the great urgency to arrest him, on a Sunday, from outside the state?” Yadav asked, calling the charges “ridiculous” and demanding clarity on the message being sent.

More than 1,000 signatories have endorsed a letter of support for Ali Khan Mahmudabad. The arrest has also spotlighted a perceived double standard in legal accountability. While Mahmudabad faces charges, no significant action has been reported against Madhya Pradesh Tribal Affairs Minister Vijay Shah, who sparked nationwide outrage with derogatory remarks about Colonel Sofiya Qureshi. Shah referred to Qureshi as the “sister” of the Pahalgam terrorists, implying she was from “their community.” Despite condemnation from the Supreme Court, Madhya Pradesh High Court, and opposition parties like Congress and the Samajwadi Party, Shah remains in the cabinet. CPI (M) leader Subashini Ali highlighted this disparity on X, questioning, “Whither law?” as the BJP faces accusations of protecting its leaders while targeting critics.