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Time of India
20-05-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
Artists protest harassment of content creator at Tripura Sundari Temple
Agartala: Artists and the cultural community in Agartala staged a protest march on Tuesday, condemning the harassment of content creator on the premises. Malakar was allegedly confronted by a group of self-styled on Monday over his use of the song Allah Ke Bande Hasde during his performance. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now A video of the incident, widely circulated on social media, triggered public outrage and strong support for Malakar. The confrontation reportedly began when a spectator, identified as Tushar Kanti Shil, objected to the song's reference to a deity from another religion. The situation quickly escalated into a heated verbal altercation, with reports suggesting Malakar was physically assaulted. Despite conflicting witness accounts regarding the nature of the altercation, the footage sparked widespread criticism of the aggressors and an outpouring of support for Malakar, who is known for using his performances to raise funds for the underprivileged. On the day of the incident, he was reportedly performing to support an elderly woman in need. The public backlash prompted BJP MLA and BJP Yuva Morcha president Sushanta Deb to personally intervene, offering words of encouragement to Malakar. "You are doing commendable work for society. Do not let such incidents shake your resolve. I stand with you," Deb assured him. The cultural community called for legal action against those responsible and urged the administration, particularly the chief minister, to ensure that artists and creative individuals can perform freely, without intimidation. "We demand strict action against the perpetrators to send a strong message to society," the protesters said. Agartala: Artists and the cultural community in Agartala staged a protest march on Tuesday, condemning the harassment of content creator Sanu Malakar on the Tripura Sundari temple premises. Malakar was allegedly confronted by a group of self-styled Hindutva activists on Monday over his use of the song Allah Ke Bande Hasde during his performance. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now A video of the incident, widely circulated on social media, triggered public outrage and strong support for Malakar. The confrontation reportedly began when a spectator, identified as Tushar Kanti Shil, objected to the song's reference to a deity from another religion. The situation quickly escalated into a heated verbal altercation, with reports suggesting Malakar was physically assaulted. Despite conflicting witness accounts regarding the nature of the altercation, the footage sparked widespread criticism of the aggressors and an outpouring of support for Malakar, who is known for using his performances to raise funds for the underprivileged. On the day of the incident, he was reportedly performing to support an elderly woman in need. The public backlash prompted BJP MLA and BJP Yuva Morcha president Sushanta Deb to personally intervene, offering words of encouragement to Malakar. "You are doing commendable work for society. Do not let such incidents shake your resolve. I stand with you," Deb assured him. The cultural community called for legal action against those responsible and urged the administration, particularly the chief minister, to ensure that artists and creative individuals can perform freely, without intimidation. "We demand strict action against the perpetrators to send a strong message to society," the protesters said.
News18
20-05-2025
- Politics
- News18
Ali Khan Mahmudabad: Who Is The Historian Arrested For His Social Media Post On Operation Sindoor?
Last Updated: Born in Lucknow on December 2, 1982, Ashoka University's Ali Khan Mahmudabad is known for his scholarly work on nationalism, political Islam, and South Asian history Ali Khan Mahmudabad – a historian, political scientist, and associate professor at Ashoka University – was arrested from his Delhi residence on May 18 over a social media post that questioned the optics of women officers addressing a press briefing after Operation Sindoor. Mahmudabad's arrest has since ignited a national debate on free speech and drawn sharp reactions, particularly within Uttar Pradesh's political circles. A complaint filed by BJP Yuva Morcha's Haryana general secretary Yogesh Jatheri alleged that his post was 'anti-national" and 'demeaning to India's armed forces". The post in question, published on Facebook, reportedly questioned the 'representational intent" behind showcasing women officers after the military operation and asked whether their presence signified a genuine shift or was limited to symbolism. The Haryana State Commission for Women took suo motu cognisance of the post earlier on May 12. On Sunday evening (May 18), he was produced before a magistrate and remanded to two-day police custody. He has been booked under Section 152 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) – a newly introduced provision replacing sedition – alongside charges related to outraging religious sentiments. Mahmudabad's legal team, led by senior advocate Kapil Sibal, has approached the Supreme Court seeking immediate relief. Chief Justice BR Gavai assured the matter will be heard on May 20 or 21. WHO IS HE? Born in Lucknow on December 2, 1982, Ali Khan Mahmudabad is known for his scholarly work on nationalism, political Islam, and South Asian history. A PhD from Cambridge, he currently teaches political science at Ashoka University in Haryana's Sonipat. He is the author of 'Poetry of Belonging', a widely acclaimed book exploring Muslim political imagination in colonial India. His academic articles, essays, and columns – published in journals and media outlets across the world – reflect a nuanced engagement with issues of identity, democracy, and religious pluralism. Fluent in Urdu, Hindi, English, and Arabic, he is one of India's few multilingual academics who also bridges the gap between scholarship and public debate. He studied Arabic at Damascus University and conducted fieldwork in Iran and Iraq. ARISTOCRATIC ROOTS, POLITICAL PAST Mahmudabad belongs to the storied royal family of Mahmudabad in Uttar Pradesh. His father, Mohammad Amir Mohammad Khan – popularly known as Raja Sahib Mahmudabad – was a two-time Congress MLA and fought a decades-long legal battle to reclaim family properties seized under the Enemy Properties Act. His grandfather, Mohammad Amir Ahmad Khan, was the last ruling Raja of Mahmudabad and a key financier of the Muslim League in the pre-Partition era. On his maternal side, he is the grandson of former foreign secretary Jagat Singh Mehta and nephew of policy expert Vikram Mehta. In 2017, Mahmudabad joined the Samajwadi Party and served as its national spokesperson until 2022. Though he distanced himself from formal politics in recent years, he continued to comment on national issues through writing and lectures. With the Supreme Court set to hear his plea this week, all eyes are on how the judiciary will interpret the use of the new sedition-like provisions under the BNS. As of now, Mahmudabad remains in police custody, even as the chorus for his release grows louder from scholars, opposition parties, and rights activists. Mahmudabad's arrest triggered widespread condemnation from civil society, opposition leaders, and academic communities both in India and abroad. Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge called the arrest 'unconstitutional and dangerous". 'Professors, students, journalists – none are safe from state-sponsored targeting if they dissent. This regime has made it clear that critical thinking is now a punishable offence," he said. Senior Congress leader Shashi Tharoor described Mahmudabad's arrest as an 'alarming blow to academic freedom". 'The criminalisation of a social media post – one that seeks introspection rather than instigation – is deeply troubling. This is not nationalism; this is paranoia," he said. Congress leader Pawan Khera said the case was less about legality and more about a political message. 'This arrest sends a signal: critique the government's narrative, and you will face jail. We cannot let this become the new normal." The SP, which Mahmudabad was associated with between 2017 and 2022, also issued a scathing statement. 'This government is terrified of intellect," SP chief Akhilesh Yadav said. 'It jails those who write, think, and question, and celebrates those who polarise and provoke." More than 100 academics from institutions, including Oxford, Yale, and Jawaharlal Nehru University, have signed a petition demanding Mahmudabad's immediate release. The signatories condemned the 'weaponisation of law to suppress intellectual discourse" and termed the arrest 'chillingly reminiscent of authoritarian regimes." Watch India Pakistan Breaking News on CNN-News18. Get breaking news, in-depth analysis, and expert perspectives on everything from politics to crime and society. Stay informed with the latest India news only on News18. Download the News18 App to stay updated! tags : ashoka university Location : New Delhi, India, India First Published: May 20, 2025, 08:00 IST
Hindustan Times
19-05-2025
- Politics
- Hindustan Times
Supreme Court agrees to hear plea of Ashoka University professor against arrest
The Supreme Court on Monday agreed to urgently hear a petition filed by Ashoka University professor Ali Khan Mahmudabad, who has challenged his recent arrest over controversial social media posts about Operation Sindoor's media briefing. Senior advocate Kapil Sibal, who was appearing for Mahmudabad, mentioned the matter before a Supreme Court bench. The top court will hear Ashoka University professor's plea in the next two days. Mahmudabad was arrested for his remarks on social media about India's 'Operation Sindoor' against terror groups based in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir. The action was taken on a complaint by a BJP Yuva Morcha leader. The arrest comes days after the Haryana State Commission for Women took suo motu cognisance of his comments. In a notice, the commission stated that his remarks undermined women officers in the Indian armed forces and fomented communal discord.
India.com
18-05-2025
- Politics
- India.com
Haryana-Based Ashoka University Professor Held For Remarks On Operation Sindoor
Ali Khan Mahmudabad, 42, who teaches political science at Haryana-based Ashoka University, has been arrested for remarks on Operation Sindoor. Mahmudabad was arrested on a complaint filed by Yogesh Jatheri, the general secretary of the BJP Yuva Morcha in Haryana, sources said. Ali has been arrested under sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita pertaining to inciting armed rebellion or subversive activities and insulting religious beliefs. Also, sedition charges have been filed against him. Police are, however, yet to issue an official statement on his arrest. "Haryana police have illegally arrested Dr Ali Khan. Taken to Haryana from Delhi without transit remand. FIR at 8 PM. Police reached his home the next morning at 7 AM," Delhi University professor Apoorvanand said in a post on X. "The Delhi High Court and the Supreme Court must intervene. Please see the Pravir Purkayastha judgment of the Supreme Court," he wrote. Haryana State Commission for Women Chairperson Renu Bhatia took suo motu cognisance of Mahmudabad's remarks, which were alleged to be disparaging toward women in the Indian Armed Forces and promoting communal disharmony. The commission summoned the professor, but he failed to appear. Later, he said the commission had "misread" his comment. "...I am surprised that the Women's Commission, while overreaching its jurisdiction, has misread and misunderstood my posts to such an extent that they have inverted their meaning," Mahmudabad had said on X. Regarding the arrest of the professor, Ashoka University said, "We have been made aware that Professor 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 cooperate with the police and local authorities in the investigation fully."
Hans India
18-05-2025
- Politics
- Hans India
Haryana-based Ashoka University professor held for remarks on Operation Sindoor
Ali Khan Mahmudabad, 42, who teaches political science at Haryana-based Ashoka University, has been arrested for remarks on Operation Sindoor. Mahmudabad was arrested on a complaint filed by Yogesh Jatheri, the general secretary of the BJP Yuva Morcha in Haryana, sources said. Ali has been arrested under sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita pertaining to inciting armed rebellion or subversive activities and insulting religious beliefs. Also, sedition charges have been filed against him. Police are, however, yet to issue an official statement on his arrest. "Haryana police have illegally arrested Dr Ali Khan. Taken to Haryana from Delhi without transit remand. FIR at 8 PM. Police reached his home the next morning at 7 AM," Delhi University professor Apoorvanand said in a post on X. "The Delhi High Court and the Supreme Court must intervene. Please see the Pravir Purkayastha judgment of the Supreme Court," he wrote. Haryana State Commission for Women Chairperson Renu Bhatia took suo motu cognisance of Mahmudabad's remarks, which were alleged to be disparaging toward women in the Indian Armed Forces and promoting communal disharmony. The commission summoned the professor, but he failed to appear. Later, he said the commission had "misread" his comment. "...I am surprised that the Women's Commission, while overreaching its jurisdiction, has misread and misunderstood my posts to such an extent that they have inverted their meaning," Mahmudabad had said on X. Regarding the arrest of the professor, Ashoka University said, "We have been made aware that Professor 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 cooperate with the police and local authorities in the investigation fully."
