Ali Khan Mahmudabad, an Associate Professor of Political Science at Ashoka University, has been placed in two-day police remand following his arrest regarding social media posts concerning Operation Sindoor. The arrest, made by Haryana Police in Delhi, stems from two FIRs filed against him after remarks made on social media regarding press briefings on Operation Sindoor.

The controversy ignited after Mahmudabad made a social media post on May 8, a day after India launched strikes targeting nine terror camps in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir as part of Operation Sindoor. In his post, Mahmudabad highlighted what he described as the irony of right-wing commentators praising Colonel Sofiya Qureshi, a Muslim woman officer who participated in the military press briefing. He stated that the "optics" of the media briefings led by Col Qureshi and Wing Commander Vyomika Singh "must translate to reality on the ground, otherwise it's just hypocrisy," further inviting right-wing people applauding Colonel Sofiya Qureshi to demand protection for victims of mob lynchings and the arbitrary bulldozing of properties.

These remarks triggered a response from the Haryana State Commission for Women, who issued a show-cause notice to Mahmudabad, accusing him of undermining the dignity of women in the armed forces and promoting communal disharmony. The commission took suo motu cognizance of his remarks, which they interpreted as an attempt to vilify national military actions.

Two FIRs were subsequently filed against Mahmudabad at the Rai police station. One FIR was filed based on a complaint by Yogesh Jatheri, a BJP Youth Morcha leader and the sarpanch of Jatheri village, while the second FIR was registered following a complaint from Haryana women's commission chairperson Renu Bhatia. The charges against him include provisions under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita for inciting rebellion, disturbing communal harmony, insulting religious sentiments, endangering sovereignty and integrity of India, statements conducing to public mischief, and deliberate actions aimed at insulting the modesty of a woman.

Mahmudabad was arrested in Delhi and produced in court, where police sought his remand for further investigation. Deputy Commissioner of Police, Narender Kadyan, stated that Mahmudabad was arrested in Delhi in connection with comments made regarding Operation Sindoor and that the police will seek his remand for further investigation.

Mahmudabad, in response to the summons, stated that his remarks were "misunderstood," describing the summons as part of a "new form of censorship and harassment." He said that he had exercised his "fundamental right to freedom of thought and speech in order to promote peace and harmony and to applaud the Indian armed forces for their resolute action, while criticising those who preach hatred and seek to destabilise India". He further clarified that his comments were about safeguarding the lives of both citizens and soldiers, and that there was nothing remotely misogynistic about them.

The arrest has sparked widespread condemnation from opposition parties, academics, and activists, who view it as an attack on academic freedom and free speech. Asaduddin Owaisi, Member of Parliament, condemned the arrest and stated that Haryana police reportedly arrested him from Delhi, violating legal process and that this targets an individual for his opinions, and his post wasn't anti-national or misogynistic. A letter signed by as many as 1,000 renowned scholars and academicians described him as a "good citizen and a true patriot." Veteran historians Romila Thapar and Ramachandra Guha and scholars such as Jayati Ghosh, Nivedita Menon and Ram Puniyani were among the signatories.

Ashoka University, in a statement, said they were in the process of ascertaining the details of the case and will cooperate fully with the authorities. The university has maintained a cautious stance. They also distanced themselves from Mahmudabad's comments, stating that it was made in an individual capacity and did not represent the opinion of the institute.

Ali Khan Mahmudabad comes from a prominent political and royal lineage. He is the head of the political science department at Ashoka University and has a PhD from the University of Cambridge.