Ashoka univ professor case: Tears, prayers, hope as faculty, students gather outside court

SONIPAT: Emotions ran high at Sonipat district court complex on a sweltering Tuesday afternoon as a case that has drawn not just national but international attention came up for hearing at court no 11 at 2pm.

Around 50 Ashoka University faculty members and students had gathered near the courtroom before associate professor Ali Khan Mahmudabad, who was arrested on Sunday for his comments on Operation Sindoor, was brought there by cops from Rai police station, where he spent two days in police lockup.

When Mahmudabad reached court, the Ashoka contingent rushed towards him, assured him of their full support and walked with him towards the courtroom. Particularly the students, who had just a day ago issued an impassioned statement to release Mahmudabad, did not hide their emotions. Frustration, anger, sadness, the sight of their professor being escorted by cops was overwhelming.

There were others, too, who had come to watch proceedings. Scores of lawyers had gathered there as well. As the numbers swelled outside the court of judicial magistrate (first class) Azad Singh, they were politely asked by the police to step downstairs. As proceedings began, several of them prayed – hands folded, eyes closed. "These are difficult times as one needs to think a hundred times before expressing himself now," said a colleague of Mahmudabad. "He is a very humble and helpful person. Not only are his students depressed, but students from other departments are also voicing their support. The timing of his views on social media went against him, but he did not have any wrong intention," added the colleague, describing himself as a longtime friend of Mahmudabad.

It was a long wait of nearly two and a half hours before the verdict came, with a break in between. One of the lawyers said there were some heated exchanges between advocates on both sides. The court's denial of police custody came as a relief to Mahmudabad's colleagues and students, who have their hopes pinned on the Supreme Court hearing on Wednesday.

"He is being targeted. His students have written multiple poems and articles since his arrest. He is loved by everyone," one of his students said, while members of the faculty association made sure they got clothes, books and medicines for Mahmudabad.