Chandigarh, May 14—The Haryana State Commission for Women has issued a notice to Dr. Ali Khan Mahmudabad, an associate professor and head of the political science department at Ashoka University, for his comments on Operation Sindoor, which the panel deemed "disparaging to women in the armed forces" and "promoting communal disharmony."
According to the May 12 notice, the commission took suo motu cognisance of remarks made by Mahmudabad around May 7, soon after India launched precision strikes under Operation Sindoor in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir. These strikes were in retaliation for the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack that killed 22 people, mainly tourists.
Remarks Under Scrutiny
The notice annexed several of Mahmudabad's statements, including his observation that right-wing supporters praising Colonel Sofia Qureshi should also seek justice for victims of mob lynchings and arbitrary demolitions. He also described the participation of Colonel Qureshi and Wing Commander Vyomika Singh in media briefings as "optics", stating that such representations must reflect reality or risk being "just hypocrisy."Allegations by the Women's Commission
The women's panel raised serious concerns, stating that Mahmudabad’s remarks amounted to:- Disparagement of women officers, including Colonel Sofia Qureshi and Wing Commander Vyomika Singh.
- Misrepresentation of facts, especially through the use of words like “genocide,” “dehumanisation,” and “hypocrisy.”
- Malicious communal implications, allegedly aimed at undermining the Indian armed forces and the government.
- Attempts to incite communal unrest and disturb internal peace.
- Vilification of military operations and the role of female officers involved in national security missions.
Summons Issued
The Commission has summoned Mahmudabad to appear before it, citing a breach of ethical responsibilities expected of university faculty under the University Grants Commission (UGC) Regulations, 2018.The controversy has added to the heated discourse around Operation Sindoor, with strong reactions to public commentary concerning the Indian military and its officers. The Commission stated it will continue to monitor statements that could potentially distort national narratives or threaten social harmony.