Our Bureau
New Delhi
Professor Ali Khan Mahmudabad of the Ashoka University was granted interim bail by the Supreme Court. The professor was arrested by the police last week for a post on social media in which he commented on Operation Sindoor. The court had adjudged his comments to just be a case of seeking popularity on social media. He was charged on the grounds that his actions were threatening national integrity and sovereignty and was promoting enmity between two groups.
Professor Mahmudabad is an associate professor and Head of the Department of Political Science at Ashoka University. The professor had two FIRs filed against him. One of the FIRs lodged against him was from Renu Bhatia, the chairperson of the Haryana State Commission for Women. The FIR was because of his comments on the government’s choice of sending Colonel Sofiya Qureshi and Wing Commander Vyomika Singh to give the briefings on Operation Sindoor.
Professor Mahmudabad’s case was taken up by Senior Advocate Kapil Sibal who appeared before the bench of Justice Surya Kant and Justice N Kotiswar Singh today. Sibal argued that the professor had a Right to Free Speech and could voice his opinions as a citizen of the country.
The court replied to his arguments and said, “Yes, everyone has the right to free speech and expression… Is it the time to talk about all of this? The country is already going through all this… monsters came and attacked our people… we have to be united. Why (do this) to get cheap popularity on these occasions?”
Sibal argued that there was no malicious intent from the professor’s side to cause any communal riots or spread hate. He was just simply commenting on the situation as he was hurt. Sibal said, “He was just hurt. His wife is 9 months pregnant, but he is in jail. Now a second FIR by the women commission. What did he say against women?”
The court has admitted that the comments made by the professor were anti-war but they haven’t made any case of pausing the investigation. They have stated, “However, to understand the complexity and for proper appreciation of the language used in the post, we direct DGP Haryana to constitute a SIT comprising three IPS officers who do not belong to Haryana or Delhi. SIT shall be headed by Inspector General of police and one of the members shall be a woman officer.”
The court has also granted the bail on the back of three conditions. The professor will have to surrender his passport, he will not post anything through his social media and will not write any articles, and the professor will refrain from commenting on the Pahalgam Attack and Operation Sindoor.
Muslim wanted own land in 1947 . Hindus gave them but why who decided to live with hindus have right to vote is wrong and should be taken away . Hope hindus will wake up and demand this .