‘Veiled misogyny’: V-Cs, academics slam Ashoka University professor’s comments

Among the prominent signatories are JNU Vice Chancellor Prof Santishree Dhulipudi Pandit, Gujarat University V-C Dr Neerja Gupta, Central University of Rajasthan V-C Prof Anand Bhalerao, University of Ladakh V-C Prof Saket Kushwaha, and Central University of Punjab VC Prof R P Tiwari.

Officials at JNU confirmed to The Indian Express that V-C Pandit had endorsed the statement.

The statement describes Mahmudabad’s observations as “veiled misogyny cloaked in pseudo-academic inquiry” and particularly objects to his comment on Colonel Sofiya Qureshi’s presence at the post-operation press briefing.

“By framing her presence as performative or tokenistic, [he] attempts to delegitimize her role… This is regressive, gender-disempowering, and contrary to both legal norms and societal progress,” it reads.

It goes on to state: “The subtext of his rhetoric operates on a reductionist logic that casts women — notably those in uniformed service — not as autonomous agents of State action, but as symbolic instruments co-opted to legitimize purportedly communal agendas… Such speech, in the current context, not only impugns the integrity of national institutions but also fosters cynicism regarding the genuine and commendable contributions of individuals such as Colonel Qureshi.”

Gujarat University V-C Dr Gupta, who is one of the signatories, told The Indian Express, “A teacher is an institution in himself. Whatever he says publicly should be said very carefully because it goes deep down into the psyche of the student. I come from a family with a defence background and I think it is the responsibility of a teacher to understand this — they should not make such comments, especially when the nation is going through a tough time.”

A wide coalition of academics, students and teacher organisations, meanwhile, has rallied behind Mahmudabad, condemning what they call a “state-led crackdown on academic freedom”.

At a press briefing held Tuesday at the Press Club of India, members of the Joint Teachers’ Organisations denounced his arrest by the Haryana Police.

Surajit Mazumdar from the JNU Teachers’ Association said, “The actions against Dr. Khan represent not just an attack on his freedom of expression but on the right of the public at large to engage in informed discussion and debate as a means of learning and taking the nation to heights.”

Anita Rampal, former Dean at Delhi University, emphasised that Mahmudabad’s classrooms “fostered an ecosystem of trust, respect, and love”, and demanded that all charges against him be dropped.

Student union leaders including Insha, president of Ashoka University’s student body, and Nitish Kumar, president of JNUSU, spoke in Prof Khan’s support.