Latest news with #Women'sCommission
Hans India
03-06-2025
- Politics
- Hans India
Spl action plan to educate rural women on laws: Women's panel chief
Vijayawada: The Women's Commission is working effectively with the goal of increasing respect for women. Due to the previous government's inaction, the Women's Commission became inactive in addressing attacks, harassment and injustices against women, leading to a loss of public trust in the commission, said Rayapati Sailaja, chairperson of State Women's Commission. She said in a statement here on Monday that since assuming charge as the chairperson of the Women's Commission, she had prepared plans to raise awareness and prevent atrocities against women and girls. When heinous acts occurred, the commission immediately spoke with the victims and stood by them, ensuring that perpetrators are punished. The commission is also reviewing with officials to prevent rapes and atrocities against women in the State. The Commission is working to instill confidence in women, assuring them that the Women's Commission will not stand by if even one woman faces injustice. The Women's Commission plays a crucial role in confronting injustices against women in society. Unlike in the past, this time the Women's Commission is free from political pressure, maintaining political neutrality and operating with a focus on justice. 'Our aim is to provide immediate assistance to victimised women, regardless of their affiliation with ruling or opposition parties,' she said. The Women's Commission will always be at the forefront of implementing women's legal rights and protections. From receiving complaints from victims to ensuring investigative authorities take action, the commission operates with unwavering oversight. The commission will raise awareness about legal protections under IPC sections, POCSO, domestic violence and POSH Acts among young women and working women in rural areas. 'Additionally, we are planning to conduct awareness sessions on laws and justice for girls in schools and colleges,' she said. The commission will introduce a new and effective Women's Commission to the public, unlike anything seen before. The commission will reassure women and stand by victims. It is essential for the Women's Commission, which works for women's rights, protection and welfare, to remain impartial and independent, free from political pressure, Sailaja said.
Hindustan Times
18-05-2025
- Politics
- Hindustan Times
Ali Khan Mahmudabad arrested: Controversy on Ashoka University professor explained
Ali Khan Mahmudabad, an associate professor at Haryana's Ashoka University, was arrested on Sunday morning for allegedly making disparaging remarks against women serving in the armed forces and promoting communal disharmony. Ali Khan Mahmudabad said last week that his remarks, made in reference to the press conferences addressed by Colonel Sofiya Qureshi and Wing Commander Vyomika Singh on Operation Sindoor, were not misogynistic and that he was being censored. On May 12, the Haryana women's commission sent a notice to the professor regarding making public statements on Operation Sindoor on social media. According to the notice, Mahmudabad had said that the "right-wing people applauding Colonel Sofia Qureshi should demand protection for victims of mob lynchings and arbitrary bulldozing of properties'. The notice said he had called the briefings by the two senior women officers of the Indian armed forces "optics and hypocrisy". 'But optics must translate to reality on the ground, otherwise it's just hypocrisy,' he had said. Summoning Mahmudabad, the panel said his remarks raised concerns about "disparagement of women in uniform, including Col Qureshi and Wing Commander Singh and undermined their role as professional officers in the Indian armed forces'. The commission further said that his remarks misrepresented facts and talked about 'genocide, dehumanisation, and hypocrisy', thereby attributing malicious communal intent to the government and the armed forces as well as inciting communal distress and attempting to disturb internal peace. Also read: Op Sindoor remarks: Ashoka University prof fails to appear before Haryana women's panel In a statement released this week on X, the professor stated, 'The screenshots attached to the notice make it clear that my remarks have been completely misunderstood and that the Commission has no jurisdiction whatsoever in the matter. The Women's Commission is a body that serves an important function; however, the summons issued to me fails to highlight how my post is contrary to the rights of or laws for women.' Also read: 'This is censorship, harassment': Ashoka University professor on Haryana women's panel summons He said he had appreciated that Colonel Qureshi and Wing Commander Vyomika Singh were chosen to represent India's stance on Operation Sindoor. 'I even applauded members of the right wing who supported Colonel Qureshi and invited them to have the same attitude for common Indian Muslims who face demonisation and persecution on a daily basis. If anything, my entire comments were about safeguarding the lives of both citizens and soldiers. Furthermore there is nothing remotely misogynistic about my comments that could be construed as anti-women,' he said. He had called the panel's summons "a new form of censorship and harassment, which invents issues where there are none". Ashoka University said Mahmudabad's statements didn't represent its views on the matter and were made in individual capacity. 'Ashoka University and all members of the Ashoka community are proud of India's armed forces and support them, unequivocally, in their actions towards maintaining national security. We stand in solidarity with the nation and our forces,' it added. In a post on Facebook, which had been attached with the notice by the commission, Mahmudabad had written, 'I am very happy to see so many right-wing commentators applauding Colonel Sophia Qureshi but perhaps they could also equally loudly demand that the victims of mob lynchings, arbitrary bulldozing and others who are victims of the BJP's hate mongering be protected as Indian citizens.'
The Hindu
15-05-2025
- Politics
- The Hindu
Haryana women's commission has misread, misunderstood my posts: Sonipat varsity professor
The associate professor of a private university in Haryana's Sonipat, who was summoned by the Haryana State Commission for Women over his social media post on Operation Sindoor, on Thursday (May 15, 2025) said the commission has '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," said Ali Khan Mahmudabad, the head of political science department of Ashoka University in Sonipat, in a public statement posted on microblogging site X. The Haryana State Commission for Women had sent a notice to Mahmudabad on May 12, saying that a prima facie review of his social media posts reveal various concerns which include "disparaging of women in uniform, including Colonel Sofiya Qureshi and Wing Command Vyomika Singh, undermining their role as professional officers in the Indian Armed forces." Colonel Sofiya Qureshi and Wing Commander Vyomika Singh had held media briefings along with Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri during Operation Sindoor, India's military action on Pakistan last week. The women's commission's notice said it has taken suo motu cognisance of the "public statements" made "on or about May 7" by Prof. Mahmudabad. In one of his remarks annexed to the commission's notice, Prof. Mahmudabad says that right-wing people applauding Colonel Sofiya Qureshi should demand protection for victims of mob lynchings and "arbitrary" bulldozing of properties. He also described the media briefings by Colonel Qureshi and Wing Commander Vyomika Singh as "optics." "But optics must translate to reality on the ground. Otherwise it's just hypocrisy," he had said. The commission had summoned Prof. Mahmudabad to appear before it on Wednesday (May 14, 2025.) Congress seeks removal of M.P. Minister over 'insult' to Col. Sofiya Qureshi However, the panel's chairperson Renu Bhatia on Wednesday (May 14, 2025) said they have received an email from Prof. Mahmudabad stating that he was intimated late and therefore could not make a personal appearance. Meanwhile, he said that his lawyers have submitted a detailed reply to the summons and represented him before the commission on Wednesday (May 14, 2025.) "The screenshots attached to the commission's notice make it clear that my remarks have been completely misunderstood and that the commission has no jurisdiction whatsoever in the matter. The women's commission is a body that serves an important function; however, the summons issued to me fail to highlight how my post is contrary to the rights of or laws for women," Prof. Mahmudabad said in his public statement. 'Contrary to the allegations, my post appreciated the fact that the armed forces chose Colonel Sofia Qureshi and Wing Commander Vyomika Singh for the press conference to highlight the fact that the dream of the founders of our Republic, of an India which is united in its diversity, is still very much alive...' "I even applauded members of the right wing who supported Colonel Qureshi and invited them to have the same attitude for common Indian Muslims who face demonisation and persecution on a daily basis. If anything, my entire comments were about safeguarding the lives of both citizens and soldiers. Furthermore, there is nothing remotely misogynistic about my comments that could be construed as anti-women," he said in the statement. Prof. Mahmudabad said he used his academic training and public voice to advocate for peace owing to the high cost of war. "At the same time, I have analysed and commented on the manner in which 'care has been taken by the Indian armed forces to not target military or civilian installations or infrastructure so that there is no unnecessary escalation'... "This reflects a clear appreciation of the Indian military's measured and proportional approach and indeed I have condemned the use of terrorists by the Pakistani military to destabilise the region. In fact in my analysis I have shown that this puts 'the onus on the Pakistani military to make sure it cannot hide any longer behind terrorists and non-state actors'," the statement read. It said he had further added that the Pakistan military has used these tactics "to destabilise the region for far too long." "Animated by a profound moral commitment to minimising the human cost of armed conflict, my statements solely express concern over the rhetorical excesses and reckless warmongering exhibited by certain sections of the civilian public," he said in the statement. Prof. Mahmudabad also said that his academic record, his public writings and policy work which at times have involved collaboration with senior bureaucrats, military officers, politicians and others from the Government of India "attest to the fact that I have also made it a priority to uphold the principles of our Constitution, safeguard the morality enshrined therein and protect the unity and integrity of India". "All my public writings have always tried to uphold the principles of justice, liberty, fraternity and equality and have always sought to promote peace and communal harmony," he further stated. About his posts, he said he had exercised his "fundamental right to freedom of thought and speech in order to promote peace and harmony and to applaud the Indian armed forces for their resolute action, while criticising those who preach hatred and seek to destabilise India."
Hindustan Times
15-05-2025
- Politics
- Hindustan Times
Haryana women's commission has misread and misunderstood my posts: Sonipat varsity professor
Sonipat , The associate professor of a private university here, who was summoned by the Haryana State Commission for Women over his social media post on Operation Sindoor, on Thursday said the commission has "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," said Ali Khan Mahmudabad, the head of political science department of Ashoka University in Sonipat, in a public statement posted on microblogging site X. The Haryana State Commission for Women had sent a notice to Mahmudabad on May 12, saying that a prima facie review of his social media posts reveal various concerns which include "disparaging of women in uniform, including Colonel Sofiya Qureshi and Wing Command Vyomika Singh, undermining their role as professional officers in the Indian Armed forces..". Colonel Sofiya Qureshi and Wing Commander Vyomika Singh had held media briefings along with Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri during Operation Sindoor, India's military action on Pakistan last week. The women's commission's notice said that it has taken suo motu cognisance of the "public statements" made "on or about May 7" by Mahmudabad. In one of his remarks annexed to the commission's notice, Mahmudabad says that right-wing people applauding Colonel Sofiya Qureshi should demand protection for victims of mob lynchings and "arbitrary" bulldozing of properties. He also described the media briefings by Colonel Qureshi and Wing Commander Vyomika Singh as "optics". "But optics must translate to reality on the ground. Otherwise it's just hypocrisy," he had said. The commission had summoned Mahmudabad to appear before it on Wednesday. However, the panel's chairperson Renu Bhatia on Wednesday said they have received an email from Mahmudabad stating that he was intimated late and therefore could not make a personal appearance. Meanwhile, Mahmudabad said that his lawyers have submitted a detailed reply to the summons and represented him before the commission on Wednesday. "The screenshots attached to the commission's notice make it clear that my remarks have been completely misunderstood and that the commission has no jurisdiction whatsoever in the matter. The women's commission is a body that serves an important function; however, the summons issued to me fail to highlight how my post is contrary to the rights of or laws for women," Mahmudabad said in his public statement. "Contrary to the allegations, my post appreciated the fact that the armed forces chose Colonel Sofia Qureshi and Wing Commander Vyomika Singh for the press conference to highlight the fact that the dream of the founders of our Republic, of an India which is united in its diversity, is still very much alive... "I even applauded members of the right wing who supported Colonel Qureshi and invited them to have the same attitude for common Indian Muslims who face demonisation and persecution on a daily basis. If anything, my entire comments were about safeguarding the lives of both citizens and soldiers. Furthermore there is nothing remotely misogynistic about my comments that could be construed as anti-women," he said in the statement. Mahmudabad said he used his academic training and public voice to advocate for peace due to the high cost of war. "At the same time, I have analysed and commented on the manner in which 'care has been taken by the Indian armed forces to not target military or civilian installations or infrastructure so that there is no unnecessary escalation'... "This reflects a clear appreciation of the Indian military's measured and proportional approach and indeed I have condemned the use of terrorists by the Pakistani military to destabilise the region. In fact in my analysis I have shown that this puts 'the onus on the Pakistani military to make sure it cannot hide any longer behind terrorists and non-state actors'," the statement read. It said he had further added that the Pakistan military has used these tactics "to destabilise the region for far too long". "Animated by a profound moral commitment to minimising the human cost of armed conflict, my statements solely express concern over the rhetorical excesses and reckless warmongering exhibited by certain sections of the civilian public," he said in the statement. Mahmudabad also said that his academic record, his public writings and policy work which at times have involved collaboration with senior bureaucrats, military officers, politicians and others from the Government of India "attest to the fact that I have also made it a priority to uphold the principles of our Constitution, safeguard the morality enshrined therein and protect the unity and integrity of India". "All my public writings have always tried to uphold the principles of justice, liberty, fraternity and equality and have always sought to promote peace and communal harmony," he further stated. About his posts, he said that he had exercised his "fundamental right to freedom of thought and speech in order to promote peace and harmony and to applaud the Indian armed forces for their resolute action, while criticising those who preach hatred and seek to destabilise India".
Hindustan Times
14-05-2025
- Politics
- Hindustan Times
‘This is censorship, harassment': Ashoka University professor on Haryana women's panel summons
Ashoka University Professor Ali Khan Mahmudabad on Wednesday responded to a summons by the Haryana State Women's Commission and stated that his social media posts on Operation Sindoor and the women officers involved were not misogynistic and that he was being censored. In a statement released on X, the professor stated, "The screenshots attached to the notice make it clear that my remarks have been completely misunderstood and that the Commission has no jurisdiction whatsoever in the matter. The Women's Commission is a body that serves an important function; however, the summons issued to me fail to highlight how my post is contrary to the rights of or laws for women." Also Read: Op Sindoor remarks: Ashoka University prof fails to appear before Haryana women's panel Mahmudabad stated that he had appreciated that Colonel Sofia Qureshi and Wing Commander Vyomika Singh had been chosen for the press conference to represent India's diversity. 'I even applauded members of the right wing who supported Colonel Qureshi and invited them to have the same attitude for common Indian Muslims who face demonisation and persecution on a daily basis. If anything, my entire comments were about safeguarding the lives of both citizens and soldiers. Furthermore there is nothing remotely misogynistic about my comments that could be construed as anti-women,' he said. Also Read: Operation Sindoor: Ashoka University professor summoned by Haryana women's panel over remarks on women officers Further, the professor stated that he had publicly condemned the Pahalgam terrorist attack and praised the Indian armed forces for the care taken to avoid targeting military of civilian infrastructure to avoid unnecessary escalation. He stated, 'Animated by a profound moral commitment to minimising the human cost of armed conflict, my statements solely express concern over the rhetorical excesses and reckless warmongering exhibited by certain sections of the civilian public.' Additionally he said, '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. This is a new form of censorship and harassment, which invents issues where there are none' Also Read: Pakistan reacts to PM Modi's Operation Sindoor speech: 'Hope India will...' Mahmudabad also stated that the claims being made about him were defamatory and he reserved the right to take legal action in the matter. Mahmudabad had described the media briefing on 'Operation Sindoor' by women officers as 'optics' and 'just hypocrisy'. The Haryana State Commission has interpreted his remarks as 'an attempt to vilify national military actions'. In a post on Facebook, which has been attached with the notice by the commission, Mahmudabad had written, 'I am very happy to see so many right-wing commentators applauding Colonel Sophia Qureishi but perhaps they could also equally loudly demand that the victims of mob lynchings, arbitrary bulldozing and others who are victims of the BJP's hate mongering be protected as Indian citizens.'
