On Wednesday, the Supreme Court of India sharply criticized Ashoka University assistant professor Ali Khan Mahmudabad for a social media post he made concerning India’s Operation Sindoor against Pakistan.
While granting him interim bail, the apex court condemned Mahmudabad’s Facebook post, accusing him of engaging in “dog-whistling” — a term used to describe coded or suggestive language intended to appeal to specific groups. The bench, comprising Justices Surya Kant and N Kotiswar Singh, further accused him of seeking “cheap publicity” through the post.
Justice Kant remarked, “Everyone has a right to free speech, but is this the time to express such communal sentiments? The country has just faced a serious attack, and unity is crucial. Why resort to such statements for cheap popularity?”
In its comments, the court emphasized that as an academic, Mahmudabad should have exercised greater responsibility and discretion in his choice of words, especially during a sensitive period.
Despite granting bail, the Supreme Court declined to halt the ongoing investigation. It ordered the Haryana Director General of Police to form a Special Investigation Team (SIT) composed of senior IPS officers from outside Haryana and Delhi, with the team to be constituted within 24 hours.
Mahmudabad is required to cooperate fully with the investigation while out on bail. The court laid down three strict conditions for his release: he must refrain from publishing any articles, posts, or speeches related to the case; avoid commenting on the Pahalgam attack or Operation Sindoor; and surrender his passport.
Following the court’s decision, Ashoka University expressed relief in an official statement, saying, “We are relieved and heartened by Prof. Ali Khan Mahmudabad being granted interim bail by the Hon’ble Supreme Court. It has provided great comfort to his family and all of us at Ashoka University.”
