BJP ‘Fearful’ Of Any Opinion It Dislikes: Cong On Arrest Of Prof

On Monday, May 19, the Congress party expressed strong condemnation regarding the arrest of Ashoka University professor Ali Khan Mahmudabad, highlighting the fear the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has towards dissenting opinions. Mahmudabad, who serves as the head of the political science department at Ashoka University, was taken into custody on Sunday following the filing of two First Information Reports (FIRs) against him. These FIRs included serious charges such as endangering the sovereignty and integrity of the nation, stemming from his social media posts related to Operation Sindoor.

Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge voiced his party’s disapproval, stating, “The arrest of Ashoka University professor, Ali Khan Mahmudabad shows how fearful the BJP is of any opinion disliked by them.” He emphasized that the Congress party stands firmly against any form of character assassination, vilification, trolling, harassment, unlawful arrests, and vandalism, whether perpetrated by fringe elements or through official state machinery.

Kharge elaborated on the broader implications of Mahmudabad’s arrest, suggesting it is part of a troubling trend. He remarked, “This arrest follows a chain reaction which began from targeting the grieving widow of our martyred Naval officer, our Foreign Secretary and his daughter, and the deplorable disparaging comments made by a BJP minister for a serving colonel in the Indian Army.” This statement underscores the Congress party’s concern over what they perceive as a systematic attack on individuals who express dissent or represent pluralistic views.

The Congress leader criticized the BJP for its handling of dissent, stating, “Instead of sacking their own Madhya Pradesh’s deputy CM & minister, who made disgusting statements against our valiant armed forces, BJP-RSS is hellbent on casting a narrative that anybody who represents pluralism, questions the government, or simply performs his professional duty in the service of the nation, is a threat to its existence.” This assertion reflects the party’s belief that the current government is attempting to stifle free speech and dissenting opinions.

Kharge further emphasized that supporting the armed forces and the government does not preclude the right to question them. He stated, “National unity is supreme for the Congress party, and the BJP should be under no impression that it can foster dictatorship under the garb of the present developments.” His comments serve as a reminder that democracy must prevail, and that the government should not suppress voices of dissent in the name of national interest.

In a related development, the Haryana State Commission for Women had recently issued a notice to Mahmudabad, questioning his remarks. In response, Mahmudabad maintained that his comments were “misunderstood” and asserted that he had exercised his fundamental right to freedom of speech. This defense highlights the ongoing tension between individual rights and governmental authority in the current political climate.

The Congress party’s condemnation of Mahmudabad’s arrest reflects a broader concern about the state of democracy and free expression in India. As Kharge pointed out, the actions taken against Mahmudabad are indicative of a larger narrative that seeks to silence those who dare to question the government. He said the Congress party remains steadfast in its commitment to uphold democratic values and protect the rights of individuals to express their opinions freely, without fear of retribution.