Dr. M.A.A. Khan (Ali), an Associate Professor of Political Science at Ashoka University, has issued a public statement asserting that summons issued to him by the Haryana State Commission for Women (Women’s Commission) were based on a complete misunderstanding of his social media posts and that the Commission lacks jurisdiction in the matter.
Misread and Misunderstood
Ali Khan Mahmudabad also posted his public statement on the social media platform X he wrote,”My statement re the summons that I received from the Haryana State Women’s Commission. The posts that were misunderstood and objected to can be accessed on my Facebook page.”
My statement re the summons that I received from the Haryana State Women’s Commission.
— Ali Khan Mahmudabad (@Mahmudabad) May 14, 2025
The posts that were misunderstood and objected to can be accessed on my Facebook page. pic.twitter.com/U4rZrAXhFx
The summons, dated May 12, 2025, pertained to certain posts made by Dr. Khan on social media. His legal representatives appeared before the Women’s Commission today, May 14, 2025, and submitted a detailed reply.
In his statement released today, Dr. Khan stated that the screenshots attached to the notice clearly demonstrate the misinterpretation of his remarks. He emphasised that the Women’s Commission, while serving an important function, failed to articulate how his posts contravened the rights or laws pertaining to women.
Dr. Khan clarified that his posts, contrary to any allegations, were an appreciation of the armed forces’ decision to feature Colonel Sofia Qureshi and Wing Commander Vyomika Singh at a press conference. He stated that his intention was to highlight the enduring spirit of unity in diversity envisioned by India’s founders.
He further mentioned applauding even right-wing supporters who acknowledged Colonel Qureshi and urged them to extend the same attitude to common Indian Muslims facing discrimination. Dr. Khan asserted that his comments were aimed at safeguarding the lives of both citizens and soldiers and contained nothing misogynistic or anti-women.
The professor emphasised his academic background and public advocacy for peace, citing the high costs of war. He also highlighted his analysis of the Indian armed forces’ “measured and proportional approach” in avoiding targeting civilian infrastructure and his condemnation of the Pakistani military’s use of terrorists.
Conlcudsion
Dr. Khan stated his analysis placed “the onus on the Pakistani military to make sure it cannot hide any longer behind terrorists and non-state actors.” He clarified that his concerns were directed at “rhetorical excesses and reckless warmongering exhibited by certain sections of the civilian public” due to his commitment to minimizing the human cost of conflict.
He concluded his public statement with, “I am surprised that the Women’s Commission, while overreaching its jurisdiction, has misread and misunderstood my posts to such an extent that they have inverted their meaning. This is a new form of censorship and harassment, which invents issues where there are none. I have faith in the process of law and know that my fundamental, constitutional, and statutory rights will be protected.”