Ashoka University professor gets notice from Haryana women's panel over remarks on Operation Sindoor, women officers
PTC Web Desk: The Haryana State Commission for Women has taken suo motu cognisance of social media comments made by Professor Ali Khan Mahmudabad of Ashoka University regarding India’s recent anti-terror operation, codenamed Operation Sindoor. The professor has been asked to appear before the commission this Wednesday, as per a report by The Indian Express.
Mahmudabad, who heads the political science department at Ashoka University in Sonipat, reportedly posted a series of comments criticising the media portrayal of the operation, particularly the prominent role of women officers. His posts have been deemed by the commission as derogatory to women in uniform and capable of inciting communal discord.
Operation Sindoor, conducted on May 7 against terror outfits operating from Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK), gained wide attention for the active involvement of women officers such as Colonel Sofia Qureshi of the Indian Army and Wing Commander Vyomika Singh of the Indian Air Force. Both officers held press briefings that were widely covered in the media.
Mahmudabad referred to these briefings as mere “optics” and described them “just hypocrisy.” In a Facebook post included in the show-cause notice, he wrote: “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 Haryana Women’s Commission, chaired by Renu Bhatia, stated that the action was taken under Sections 10(1)(a) and 10(1)(f) of the Haryana State Commission for Women Act, 2012.
According to the notice, the commission has raised six major concerns about Mahmudabad’s remarks:
Disrespect toward women officers like Colonel Qureshi and Wing Commander Singh.
Alleged misrepresentation using terms such as “genocide” and “dehumanisation.”
Vilifying India's counter-terrorism actions.
Potential to incite communal tensions.
Violation of women’s constitutional dignity and the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita.
Possible breach of ethical guidelines for faculty as per the University Grants Commission (UGC).
Who is Ali Khan Mahmudabad?
Professor Mahmudabad is a historian and political scientist with a PhD and MPhil from the University of Cambridge. He completed his undergraduate studies at Amherst College and has also studied Arabic at the University of Damascus. He is a regular columnist and public commentator on political and social issues.
The university has not issued an official statement on the matter as of now.
- With inputs from agencies