India arrests Muslim Prof for online post

An Indian academic has been arrested over a social media post that criticised media briefings on a recent military operation against Pakistan, drawing condemnation from civil society and free speech advocates.

Ali Khan Mahmudabad, a political science professor at Ashoka University, was detained in New Delhi on Sunday after a complaint filed by a youth leader of the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), according to local media.

Police said Mahmudabad was arrested under laws related to promoting enmity, inciting rebellion, and offending religious sentiments. The charges stem from a Facebook post in which he criticised the use of military optics and raised concerns over communal violence and the treatment of minorities in India.

The post, published on 8 May, referred to media briefings led by Colonel Sofiya Qureishi and Wing Commander Vyomika Singh on Operation Sindoor — India's military action against Pakistan and Pakistan-administered Kashmir, launched on 6 May.