'Dog whistling': SC slams Ashoka prof's choice of words, grants him interim bail
The Times of IndiaWednesday, May 21, 2025 at 6:50:40 AM
** The Supreme Court has granted interim bail to Ashoka University professor Ali Khan Mahmudabad, who was arrested over controversial social media posts related to *Operation Sindoor*. While allowing his release, the court criticized his choice of words as "dog whistling"—a term for coded language that signals divisive messages to specific groups. A Special Investigation Team (SIT) will now probe the case, where Mahmudabad faces charges of endangering national integrity under India’s new criminal code.
Editor’s Note: ** This isn’t just about one professor’s bail—it’s a flashpoint in India’s ongoing debate over free speech, legal boundaries, and political rhetoric. The court’s sharp "dog whistling" remark suggests skepticism about the intent behind Mahmudabad’s posts, but the bail grant also hints at due process concerns. With an SIT now involved, the case could set a precedent for how India’s new laws handle inflammatory speech, especially in polarized times. Watch this space.
— Curated via WP Now’s
