Supreme Court Grants Interim Bail to Ashoka University Professor Amid Controversy
The Supreme Court has granted interim bail to Professor Ali Khan Mahmoodabad from Ashoka University, who faced backlash for a controversial post about Operation Sindoor. While the court upheld his right to free speech, it also mandated an investigation into the matter, highlighting concerns over the implications of his statements. Mahmoodabad's post, which critics deemed inflammatory and disrespectful to the armed forces, has sparked significant debate. The professor argues that his comments were misinterpreted and intended as a call for peace. This case raises important questions about freedom of expression and its limits in sensitive political contexts.
May 21, 2025, 12:58 IST
Supreme Court's Decision on Professor Ali Khan Mahmoodabad
The Supreme Court provided interim bail to Professor Ali Khan Mahmoodabad from Ashoka University on Wednesday, following his controversial post regarding Operation Sindoor. However, the court declined to halt the investigation into the matter. The apex court also instructed the Director General of Police in Haryana to form a three-member Special Investigation Team (SIT), led by an officer of the rank of Inspector General, to investigate the case against the professor, who heads the Political Science department at the private university.
Restrictions Imposed on Online Content
The Supreme Court has recently prohibited Mahmoodabad from posting any online content related to the India-Pakistan conflict. Upholding the fundamental right to freedom of expression, the court noted that Mahmoodabad's statements legally fall under the category of "dog whistling." The bench questioned the choice of words used by Mahmoodabad, suggesting that they appeared to insult or discomfort others rather than contribute constructively to public discourse. The professor was arrested on May 18 after two FIRs were filed against him at the Rai police station in Sonipat. One complaint was lodged by Renu Bhatia, the chairperson of the Haryana State Women’s Commission, while the other was filed by Yogesh Jatheri, the general secretary of the Bharatiya Janata Yuva Morcha (BJYM), the youth wing of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). Both complaints alleged that Mahmoodabad's post was inflammatory and anti-national, undermining the sovereignty and integrity of the country.
Controversial Post and Its Implications
The contentious post was made on the platform X and included comments about Operation Sindoor. Critics of the post argued that it was disrespectful to the armed forces and incited communal hatred. However, Mahmoodabad defended his post, claiming it was an appeal for peace and had been misinterpreted. The Indian armed forces conducted Operation Sindoor on May 7 in response to a terrorist attack in Pahalgam on April 22, targeting terrorist infrastructure in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir.