Panel Plans Legal Action as Prof Skips Summons

Haryana women's panel had summoned Ashoka varsity prof over his remarks 'disparaging women in the armed forces, promoting communal disharmony'

- Bhavey Nagpal

CHANDIGARH/KARNAL: Ashoka University professor Ali Khan Mahmudabad skipped summons issued by Haryana State Commission for Women on Wednesday but submitted a reply through his lawyers, asserting his social media remarks about Operation Sindoor were "completely misunderstood" and the Commission lacks jurisdiction in the matter.

Sonepat-based academic Ali Khan Mahmudabad was summoned to the commission's Panchkula office regarding social media posts that the state panel — headed by former Bharatiya Janata Party spokesperson Renu Bhatia — alleged was disparaging towards women officers in the armed forces and promoted communal disharmony.

Commission chairperson Bhatia claimed they waited from 10am until 3pm before receiving an email from Mahmudabad stating he had received the notice too late to attend. "This is a mere excuse. Sonepat is hardly a two-hour drive away," Bhatia said, adding that the commission is exploring legal action.