🔹 Supreme Court Grants Bail
The Supreme Court of India has granted bail to Ali Khan Mahmudabad, a professor at Ashoka University, after his arrest over remarks about women army officers. His lawyer, Mohammad Nizamuddin Pasha, said the court also told Mahmudabad to avoid making public comments or using social media to talk about the case while the investigation continues.
🔹 Remarks That Caused the Arrest
Authorities arrested Mahmudabad, the head of political science at Ashoka University, on Sunday. He posted on social media about two women officers — a Hindu and a Muslim — who spoke to the press during the India-Pakistan conflict earlier this month.
Officials accused him of:
- Hurting religious harmony
- Using language that disrespected women
Live Law, a legal news website, reported that his remarks may have offended modesty and damaged social unity.
🔹 Women’s Panel Responds
The Haryana State Commission for Women, where the university is located, filed a complaint. The commission said Mahmudabad’s words tried to undermine the Indian Army and disrespect female officers.
“Seeing two women officers speak is good for public image, but if there’s no real change on the ground, then it’s just for show,” Mahmudabad wrote on May 8.
He also said the press event gave hope for a united India, but that Muslims still face challenges not shown in official messaging.
🔹 Concerns About Discrimination
Many rights groups and members of the Muslim community say some leaders from the BJP and its partners promote anti-Muslim views and target Muslim-owned homes and businesses. But Prime Minister Narendra Modi strongly denies any religious bias in the country.
🔹 Background on India-Pakistan Conflict
The recent tension began after Islamist militants killed 26 people in Indian Kashmir on April 22. India answered by attacking what it called terror camps in Pakistan. That led to days of cross-border fighting until a ceasefire was declared on May 10.
🔹 Mahmudabad’s and University’s Response
Before his arrest, Mahmudabad said his lawyers answered the commission’s notice. He argued that his social media post did not break any law about women’s rights.
“My post didn’t violate any legal rules,” he said.
Later, Ashoka University said they were relieved the court gave him bail, according to ANI News.
🔹 Statement from Women’s Commission
“We support every woman’s right to feel safe, heard, and respected—in classrooms and on the battlefield,” said Renu Bhatia, chair of the Haryana State Commission for Women, in a post on X.
