Ashoka Professor Ali Khan Mahmudabad Arrested

Ali Khan Mahmudabad, an associate professor and head of the political science department at Ashoka University, was arrested on May 18, 2025, in Sonepat, India — Haryana, India. The arrest stems from two FIRs filed against him over his social media posts concerning '2025 India–Pakistan conflict,' a military action by India against terror targets in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir. The charges include endangering India's sovereignty, unity, and integrity, making statements conducing to public mischief, insulting the modesty of a woman, and promoting enmity between different groups. One complaint was filed by Renu Bhatia, chairperson of the India — Haryana State Commission for Women, and another by Yogesh Jatheri, a leader of the India — Bharatiya Janata Party's Yuva Morcha. Ali Khan Mahmudabad had described media briefings on 2025 India–Pakistan conflict as 'optics' and suggested that those applauding military officers should also advocate for victims of mob lynchings. He maintains his comments were misunderstood and an exercise of his fundamental right to freedom of speech. Ashoka University has stated it will cooperate with the police, while its faculty association and the Jawaharlal Nehru University Teachers Association have condemned the arrest as 'calculated harassment' and 'unwarranted.'