The Haryana State Commission for Women has issued summons to Ali Khan Mahmudabad, an Associate Professor at Ashoka University in Sonipat, for comments on Operation Sindoor and India’s military response to the Pahalgam terror attack that it deemed as “disparaging women in uniform” and attempting to disturb internal peace. Taking suo motu cognisance, the panel has directed him to be present on May 14 at its Panchkula office.
In a four-page notice to the Associate Professor, with a copy of his comments attached to it, the commission said prima facie review of his remarks revealed the concerns such as disparagement of women in uniform, including Colonel Sophia Qureshi and Wing Commander Vyomika Singh, undermining their roles as professional officers; misrepresentation of faces with repeated reference to “genocide”, “dehumanisation” and “hypocrisy” attributing malicious intent to the Indian government; attempts at vilification of national military actions and the role of women officers; and potential incitement to public unrest.
The letter said his comments also breached ethical conduct expected of university faculty under the University Grants Commission Regulations, 2018.
Mr. Mahmudabad – a poet, historian and a political analyst – writes on political, social, economic and security issues in various online and print publications.
One of his posts on a Facebook page, attached to the summons, read: “Lastly, I am very happy to see so many right wing commentators applauding Colonel Sophia Qureshi but perhaps they could also equally loudly demand that the victims of mob lynchings, arbitrary bulldozing… be protected as Indian citizens…”
His post on India’s military action read thus: “Think about what it means when you say “wipe them out,” “finish them,” “destroy them” etc… You can only ask for such wholesale destruction if you have completely dehumanised them.”
“… The military industrial complex in the world is the most profitable business – $2.46 trillion – in comparison pharma is $1.6 trillion and oil is $750 billion. War is about profit and greed not about ideals and values,” read another post.
An e-mail to Mr. Mahmudabad’s official ID seeking his response did not elicit any response till the time of going to press.
Published – May 14, 2025 01:18 am IST