Ashoka University students back arrested professor, say ‘stand firmly united’
Ashoka University Students Government (AUSG) said Mahmudabad’s posts were “legitimate political views, grounded in humanitarian and constitutional ethics”
Students at Haryana’s Ashoka University have expressed strong support for Associate Professor Ali Khan Mahmudabad, who was arrested on Sunday (May 18) by the state police for his Facebook posts about Operation Sindoor, and demanded his release. The Student Government said his comments were “legitimate political views”, while those taught by him said he “never expressed any disrespect for the nation”.
Also read: Ashoka University associate professor remanded in 2-day police custody
Mahmudabad was arrested based on a complaint by the BJP Yuva Morcha in Haryana’s Sonepat. His arrest was preceded by a notice from the Haryana State Commission for Women (HSCW).
SC to hear Mahmudabad’s plea
On Monday, a Supreme Court Bench comprising Chief Justice of India B R Gavai and Justice Augustine Masih agreed to hear Mahmudabad’s plea challenging his arrest on Tuesday or Wednesday. Senior Advocate Kapil Sibal appeared for Mahmudabad.
Also read: Politicians, lawyers, academics speak out against Ashoka University teacher’s arrest
Mahmudabad, the head of the political science department, had started a course called ‘Banish the Poets’ to look at the intersection of history and poetry.
In a statement, students of the course said they “stand firmly united and in solidarity against the arrest of Associate Professor Ali Khan Mahmudabad’s arrest”.
‘Professor Khan lectured on love’
“Throughout the course, Professor Khan lectured on love, consistently emphasising secular values such as reason, compassion, justice, and freedom of thought as the foundation of meaningful dialogue. His wrongful arrest is a stark violation of not just academic freedom, but of the very principles he taught us and stands for,” they said.
“He emphasised the power of the written word and encouraged us to speak, to share our truths, and to hold space for each other. It was under his guidance and in the space created by his lectures that many of us felt emboldened to speak, to share, to write, to enjoy and appreciate the safety and sanctity of the space. The principles he believes in — compassion, justice and freedom — were not something he only taught or preached; he lives them, and in doing so, helps us live them more truly too,” they added.
Taught ‘to question everything’
The students said Mahmudabad taught them “to question everything and form our own opinions”.
“He never expressed any disrespect for our nation and its constitution, nor did he ever teach us such disrespect. He remains one of the most articulate, passionate and intelligent educators we have had the privilege of witnessing,” they said.
“Professor Khan often quotes Dr. Cornel West, ‘Justice is what love looks like in public, just like tenderness is what love feels like in private’. For him and the ideals he embodies, we harbour hope and echo the Ashoka University Student Government’s call to release him and demand that Ashoka University stand with our Professor,” they added.
Posts ‘legitimate political views’
In a separate statement, the Ashoka University Students Government (AUSG) said Mahmudabad’s posts were “legitimate political views, grounded in humanitarian and constitutional ethics”.
“Our commitment to freedom of expression is tested when we’re called upon to defend the rights of those we might disagree with. Whether one agrees or disagrees with Professor Khan, we demand an environment that fosters debate and engagement. Such charges, the kind levied against him, disregard the criticality of such a spirit,” they said, demanding his “immediate and unconditional release.”
“We further call upon Ashoka University to publicly denounce his arrest and to recognise it as a grave violation of the liberal and constitutional principles that the institution claims to uphold. Silence in the face of such injustice would constitute complicity,” they added.
The Ashoka University administration has distanced itself from the controversy. In a statement on Sunday, it said, “We have been made aware that Prof. Ali Khan Mahmudabad has been taken into police custody earlier today. We are in the process of ascertaining details of the case. The University will continue to cooperate with the Police and local authorities in the investigation, fully.”