Former Civil Servants Condemn Criminal Charges Against Ashoka University Professor Ali Khan Mahmudabad
Former Civil Servants Decry Criminal Charges Against Ashoka University Professor Ali Khan Mahmudabad, Call Them ‘Outrageous and Absurd’
In a strongly worded statement issued on May 29, 2025, the Constitutional Conduct Group — a collective of 79 distinguished former Indian civil servants — has denounced the criminal charges filed against Dr. Ali Khan Mahmudabad, Associate Professor of Political Science at Ashoka University. The group labelled the charges as “outrageous and absurd,” asserting that the professor’s social media posts, which led to his arrest, were “thoughtful and measured” in tone. These posts were made in the context of Operation Sindoor, an ongoing military operation that has garnered widespread public attention.
The Constitutional Conduct Group expressed deep concern over what they described as an unjust application of criminal law, warning that such suppression of free speech could have “profoundly corrosive” effects on a democratic society. According to the statement, Prof. Mahmudabad’s commentary did not incite violence or promote disharmony; rather, it highlighted the Indian Army’s restraint during the operation and noted the powerful optics of Colonel Sofiya Qureshi representing the armed forces in press briefings. However, he cautioned that such symbolism would ring hollow if incidents like lynchings and unlawful demolitions continued unchecked in the country. This observation, while reflective and critical, has become the basis of criminal accusations.
The charges against the academic fall under multiple stringent sections of India’s newly implemented criminal law code, the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita. These include Section 152, which penalizes actions deemed to endanger the “sovereignty, unity, and integrity of India,” closely mirroring the language of the repealed colonial-era sedition law from the Indian Penal Code. In addition, he faces prosecution under Section 196(1)(b) for disturbing communal harmony and public tranquillity, Section 197(1)(c) for making assertions likely to cause disharmony, and Section 299 for committing alleged deliberate and malicious acts intended to outrage religious sentiments.
Despite the legal pressure, Prof. Mahmudabad has received an outpouring of support from students, faculty, and civil society. The Constitutional Conduct Group highlighted the strong solidarity shown by members of the academic community, praising their courage. However, the group criticized Ashoka University’s administration for remaining conspicuously silent, noting that the institution has yet to issue a statement defending its faculty member against what many believe to be an excessive and politically motivated legal assault.
Prof. Mahmudabad was arrested by Haryana Police on May 18, 2025, following two First Information Reports (FIRs) registered at Rai Police Station in Sonipat. His arrest sparked widespread criticism from civil society groups and academics across the country. He was later released from Sonipat District Jail on the evening of May 22, after the Supreme Court of India granted him interim bail. Subsequently, the apex court extended his interim bail and emphasized that his right to free speech and expression must not be impeded. However, the court also advised him not to post anything online pertaining to the ongoing legal matters.
This unfolding case underscores growing concerns about the use of criminal law to silence dissenting voices and stifle academic freedom in India. The charges against Prof. Ali Khan Mahmudabad have triggered a national conversation on free speech, democratic principles, and the responsibilities of academic institutions to protect their scholars from undue persecution.
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