What was his crime ?
His ‘crime’ was that in a social media post on May 8, he said :”
“I am very happy to see so many right-wing commentators applauding Colonel Sophia Qureishi, but perhaps they could also equally loudly demand that the victims of mob lynchings, arbitrary bulldozing, and others who are victims of the BJP’s hate mongering be protected as Indian citizens. The optics of two women soldiers presenting their findings is important, but optics must translate to reality on the ground, otherwise it’s just hypocrisy,”
Here is the full text of his posts :
The Haryana State Women’s Commission has accused Prof Mahmudabad of “vilifying India’s army,” “violating dignity and outraging women’s modesty,” “disparaging women in uniform,” “attributing malicious communal intent to the Government of India and Indian Armed Forces,” and “inciting communal distress and attempting to disturb internal peace”.
He has also been accused of sedition, endangering sovereignty, unity and integrity of India, and insulting women :
https://m.thewire.in/article/rights/ali-khan-mahmudabad-sedition-arrest-haryana-court-delhi
On the face of it, all these charges are ridiculous, frivolous, specious and mendacious, and Prof Mahmudabad only exercised his fundamental right of freedom of speech guaranteed by Article 19(1)(a) of the Indian Constitution
https://www.altnews.in/optics-of-disproportionate-action-posts-that-led-to-ashoka-professor-ali-khans-arrest-far-from-anti-women-seditious/
The University Faculty and students have stood by Prof Mahmudabad :
Civil society has also come out in his support
One wonders whether we are living in a country governed by the rule of law, or in a Mad Hatter’s Tea Party in Alice in Wonderland
