'What’s True, What’s False...'— Ashoka University Students Demand Prof Mahmudabad's Release in Viral Solidarity Statement

New Delhi- – Students of Ashoka University’s “Banish the Poets” lecture taught by Associate Professor Ali Khan Mahmudabad, have issued a powerful statement of solidarity condemning his arrest by the Haryana Police on May 18. The statement, which has gone viral on social media, describes the arrest as a violation of academic freedom and the principles of compassion, justice, and free thought that Mahmudabad instilled in his students. Shared by Ashoka faculty member Arpita Das on X, the message has resonated widely, amplifying calls for the professor’s immediate release.

The students’ statement, rooted in a poignant excerpt from Thomas Centolella’s poem In The Evening We Shall Be Examined On Love—a text included in the Spring 2025 syllabus for “Banish the Poets”—celebrates Mahmudabad’s teachings and character. They wrote, “Throughout the course, Professor Khan lectured on love, consistently emphasizing secular values such as reason, compassion, justice, and freedom of thought as the foundation of meaningful dialogue. His wrongful arrest is a stark violation of not just academic freedom, but of the very principles he taught us and stands for.”

The students highlighted Mahmudabad’s encouragement to question everything and form independent opinions, emphasizing his respect for India’s Constitution and his commitment to fostering dialogue. They described him as “one of the most articulate, passionate, and intelligent educators we have had the privilege of witnessing,” whose teachings inspired them to become better people and treat the world with kindness.

Quoting Dr. Cornel West, a figure Mahmudabad often referenced, they noted, “Justice is what love looks like in public, just like tenderness is what love feels like in private.” The students echoed the Ashoka University Student Government’s demand for his release and urged the university to stand by their professor.

Background of the Case

Ali Khan Mahmudabad, a 42-year-old Cambridge-educated political scientist and head of Ashoka University’s Political Science Department, was arrested at his Delhi residence on May 18, following a complaint by Yogesh Jatheri, general secretary of the BJP Yuva Morcha and sarpanch of Jatheri village in Sonipat, Haryana. The arrest stemmed from social media posts Mahmudabad made on May 8, commenting on Operation Sindoor, India’s military strikes on May 7 targeting terrorist infrastructure in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir in response to the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack that killed 26 people, mostly Hindu tourists.

Two FIRs were filed against Mahmudabad under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), including Section 152 (endangering India’s sovereignty, unity, and integrity), Section 196 (promoting enmity between groups), Section 197 (assertions prejudicial to national integration), Section 299 (outraging religious feelings), and Section 79 (insulting the modesty of a woman). The Haryana State Commission for Women, led by Chairperson Renu Bhatia, also filed an FIR, alleging that Mahmudabad’s remarks disparaged women officers and promoted communal discord. Mahmudabad responded on May 14, stating that his posts were “completely misunderstood” and that the commission lacked jurisdiction.

On May 19, the Supreme Court, led by Chief Justice of India B.R. Gavai, agreed to hear Mahmudabad’s petition challenging his arrest after senior advocate Kapil Sibal argued that the professor was being prosecuted for “entirely patriotic statements.” Mahmudabad was produced before a Sonipat court on May 18, where he was sent to two days of police custody.

The arrest has galvanized support across academic and political circles. Ashoka University’s Faculty Association called the arrest “calculated harassment” based on “groundless and untenable charges.” Faculty members have been keeping vigil at the Sonipat police station to ensure Mahmudabad’s well-being, particularly as he requires diabetes medication. The Jawaharlal Nehru University Teachers’ Association (JNUTA) also demanded his immediate release, asserting that his remarks were within the bounds of academic discourse.

Opposition leaders, including Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge, Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav, AIMIM’s Asaduddin Owaisi, and CPI(M)’s Subashini Ali, have criticized the arrest as an attack on free speech. Kharge accused the BJP of fostering a narrative that labels dissenters as threats, while Yadav remarked, “Freedom even when rulers speak foul language, and arrest of someone for speaking the truth.”