Professor Ali Khan Mahmudabad posted letters and other musings on social media, which were at once patriotic towards India, but also warned against the ethical implications of unwarranted violence towards innocents.
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July 18, 2025
Her Excellency
Smt. Droupadi Murmu
President of India
Rashtrapati Bhavan
President’s Estate
New Delhi – 110004
India
Dear President Murmu:
The Committee of Concerned Scientists is an independent organization of
scientists, physicians, engineers, and scholars devoted to the protection and
advancement of human rights and scientific freedom for colleagues all over the
world.
We are writing to express our concern for Ali Khan Mahmudabad, who is an
associate professor as well as head of the Department of Political Science at
Ashoka University. While proudly supporting India’s right to self-defense,
Professor Mahmudabad also expressed (via social media) concerns about “mob
lynchings,” and rhetoric that incites violence against innocent Muslims. His general sentiment was to advocate for India’s self-defense without “bloodlust for war.”
Mahmudabad was arrested in Delhi, and made to face charges that were
incongruent with his letters and social media posts. The charges against him
are unjust and we ask you to drop them and provide adequate security for him.
Sincerely,
Joel L. Lebowitz, Walter Reich, Eugene M. Chudnovsky, Alexander Greer
Co-Chairs, Committee of Concerned Scientists
CC:
Marco Antonio Rubio
Secretary of State
U.S. Department of State
2201 C Street, NW
Washington, DC 20520
USA
Phone: (202) 647-4000
X: @SecRubio