Indian media questions Muslim academic's arrest over Operation Sindoor remarks

The arrest of Professor Ali Khan, a Muslim academic in India, for commenting on "Operation Sindoor" has triggered backlash — not just from civil rights groups, but from Indian media outlets themselves, who have openly questioned the rationale behind the sedition charges brought against him.

Professor Khan, in a social media post on May 8, wrote that he's glad to see many right-wing commentators praising Colonel Sofia Qureshi. Perhaps, he said, they could similarly raise their voices for those affected by mob lynchings, home demolitions, and the BJP’s hate politics — and demand that these citizens be protected as Indians.

This post led to an FIR, reportedly for “anti-national” remarks and insulting “daughters of India.”

However, in an interview, Renu Bhatia, Chairperson of the Haryana State Women Commission, was unable to identify any exact line from the professor’s post that could be classified as offensive, derogatory, or seditious, which she claimed in her complaint.

The anchor repeatedly read out the full statement and asked the government official which exact words insulted Indian women in uniform and what he said that amounted to sedition.

Renu Bhatia struggled to respond. She insisted that calling out military women amounted to an attack on dignity, yet could not pinpoint any specific words used by Professor Khan that did so.

“How can someone say such things?” she asked, offering vague justifications instead of a clear answer.

When pressed again — particularly on how Professor Khan’s remarks could be interpreted as insulting Colonel Sofia Qureshi and Wing Commander Vyomika Singh — Bhatia once again failed to provide a quote. The interview, widely circulated online, showed her dodging questions, prompting the anchor to say: "The nation wants to know — what exactly did he say?"

A viral cartoon summarised the absurdity of the situation: “Find something offensive in Professor Ali Khan’s post,” says the state. The police check his religion. The government responds: Arrest him.”