Referring to the situation as increasingly burdensome, Bikhchandani wrote, “Pramath, Ashish, and I have seriously discussed the option of walking away. Ashoka is too much of a headache. Is it worth the effort?”
The message was reportedly in response to concerns raised by an alumnus who criticized the university’s silence on Mahmudabad’s arrest and the absence of visible support for the professor.
Professor Mahmudabad Controversy
Professor Mahmudabad, head of the Political Science department at Ashoka University, was arrested on 18 May following a controversial social media post related to Operation Sindoor. While praising the Indian military’s operations, his post also questioned problematic symbolism and the marginalisation of minorities. Shared on 8 May, the post gained traction online and resulted in two FIRs being filed.
In a post on social media, Mahmudabad wrote, “I am very happy to see so many right-wing commentators applauding Colonel Sophi(y)a 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. The optics of two women soldiers presenting their findings is important, but optics must translate to reality on the ground, otherwise it’s just hypocrisy.”
In his email, Bikhchandani firmly denied that the university had any obligation to support Mahmudabad for views shared in a personal capacity. “You are an adult and must bear responsibility for your words and the consequences,” he wrote, emphasizing that the post was made without consulting the university and that expecting institutional backing afterward was unreasonable.
He further argued that such online commentary does not fall under the purview of academic freedom. “Posting political opinions on platforms like Facebook, Instagram, or X is not academic work,” Bikhchandani stated. “If authorities respond to such content, it may be a matter of free speech not academic freedom for which legal recourse exists under constitutional law.”
Professor Mahmudabad’s post also critiqued the use of women officers in official briefings, which sparked significant backlash and led to legal action under multiple sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, including charges related to promoting communal disharmony.
The Supreme Court granted Mahmudabad interim bail on 21 May but declined to halt the investigation. The court extended his bail and instructed the Special Investigation Team (SIT) to submit a progress report. It also upheld his right to freedom of expression but advised him against making public statements related to the case.
Meanwhile, the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) took suo motu cognisance of the incident based on media coverage, noting that the circumstances potentially indicate a violation of the professor’s civil liberties.
