3 Things Ashoka University prof's arrest, Shillong to Silchar, and Amritsar targeted
May 20, 2025
In this conversation, Vidheesha Kuntamala from The Indian Express discusses the arrest of Ashoka University professor Ali Khan Mahmudabad over comments about women in the armed forces, highlighting implications for academic freedom in India. Dheeraj Mishra then shares insights on a newly approved high-speed highway connecting Shillong to Silchar, aimed at boosting trade in Northeast India. Finally, they cover the Indian Army's response to recent drone attacks from Pakistan, including an attempted strike on the Golden Temple.
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Critique of Symbolic Gestures
- Ali Khan Mahmudabad criticized the superficiality of the media briefing on Operation Sindur by women officers.
- He emphasized that symbolic gestures must reflect real protection for victims of hate crimes to avoid hypocrisy.
Academic Freedom Under Fire
- Mahmudabad's arrest sparked condemnation across opposition and academia.
- Critics framed it as an attack on academic freedom and highlighted statements by politicians that fueled communal tensions.
Academic Solidarity and Defense
- Over a thousand academics demanded the FIR against Mahmudabad be withdrawn and apologised for.
- They argued his posts reflected a moral vision and praised armed forces' restraint, not misogyny or anti-nationalism.