Following Operation Sindoor, Prime Minister Narendra Modi praised the nation’s unity across political lines and civil society in standing against terrorism. He emphasized how citizens, communities, and parties came together with a unified voice. Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri also highlighted that open criticism of the government is a core feature of a healthy democracy — something Pakistan may not fully grasp. However, the arrest of academic Ali Khan Mahmudabad starkly contradicts this spirit of unity and democratic openness. By criminalizing dissent, the government risks silencing vital debate and undermining the very solidarity it celebrates, raising serious concerns about freedom of expression in India.
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Ali Khan Mahmudabad, head of the Political Science Department at Ashoka University and a national spokesperson for the Samajwadi Party, recently faced backlash from the Haryana State Commission for Women (HSCW) over a social media post. His comment referenced Colonel Sofiya Qureshi and Wing Commander Vyomika Singh, who led briefings on Operation Sindoor, acknowledging the powerful optics of women in leadership roles. However, he cautioned that real change must back symbolic representation and urged the government to protect victims of mob violence and state excesses. Mahmudabad also expressed hope in India’s unity in diversity. The arrest raises deep concerns about free speech and democratic values in India.
Mahmudabad’s Arrest Exposes Free Speech Risks Amid Unity Push
The arrest of Ali Khan Mahmudabad sends a troubling signal during a sensitive time for Indian democracy. On one hand, a BJP minister in Madhya Pradesh made a shocking remark by calling Colonel Qureshi the “sister” of terrorists—a comment condemned by the court but ignored by his party. On the other, the Modi-led central government is making efforts to build bipartisan unity, with three of seven all-party teams representing India against Pakistan-backed terrorism being led by Opposition leaders. In this context, it is vital for the judiciary to uphold Mahmudabad’s rights and for the Haryana Police to remember their duty to protect citizens, not intimidate them for speaking freely. Freedom, not fear, builds true unity in a democracy.
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