Sanjeev Bikhchandani (image: x.com/AshokaUniv)

Weeks after Ashoka University Professor Ali Khan Mahmudabad’s arrest and subsequent bail over his social media post on ‘Operation Sindoor,’ Sanjeev Bikhchandani, co-founder of the institute, clarified his standpoint on the controversy.

In an email responding to a former student, he stated that he and his fellow co-founders had ‘seriously discussed’ the option of stepping away from their roles. The internal email reportedly revealed that an anonymous alumnus had questioned the university’s silence on Mahmudabad’s arrest and the co-founder’s stance on the matter.

Also Read | Supreme Court Grants Interim Bail To Ashoka University Professor Ali Khan Mahmudabad

Mentioning the university’s co-founders Pramath Raj Sinha and Ashish Dhawan in the email, Bhikchandani stated, “Why don’t you and other alumni offer to step in and take over? Pramath, Ashish, and I have seriously discussed the option of walking away. Ashoka is too much of a headache. Is it worth the effort? And you may not believe this, but money, even in this day and age, does not grow on trees but it still makes the world go round. Every rupee has to be sweated for.”

Addressing the controversy over Mahmudabad’s post and his arrest without mentioning his name, Bhikchandani wrote, “A political opinion expressed on Facebook or Twitter (X) or Instagram is not academic scholarship. Consequently, any public outcry about a political opinion an academic may express on social media is not an attack on academic freedom, even if the person expressing that opinion has a day job as an academic,” Times of India quotes from his letter.

Bikhchandani has further strongly dismissed the notion that the university was obligated to defend Mahmudabad’s political opinions expressed in his personal capacity.

“You are a grown-up adult. You are responsible for your actions and any consequences thereof. Ashoka is not obliged to support you for political opinions you express in your personal capacity. You did not seek Ashoka’s consent before posting on social media; you cannot now present Ashoka with a fait accompli and expect support,” TOI reported his statement from the letter.

Also Read | Human Rights Violated: NHRC Probes Professor Mahmudabad’s Arrest

Mahmudabad was arrested on May 18 by Haryana Police over social media comments regarding Operation Sindoor. Two FIRs were lodged under sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) pertaining to acts prejudicial to maintaining communal harmony, making assertions likely to cause disharmony, inciting secession, armed rebellion or subversive activities, and insulting religious beliefs.

The Supreme Court on May 21 granted interim bail to Ashoka University Professor Ali Khan Mahmudabad. However, the court refuses to halt the ongoing investigation.