In a strong show of solidarity, a group of 93 retired civil servants has issued a statement defending Prof. Ali Khan Mahmudabad, emphasizing that his call for justice should not be viewed as a crime. The signatories, part of the Constitutional Conduct Group, asserted that the charges against Prof. Ali Khan are “colonial in nature” and reflect a worrying trend of suppressing dissent, reported the Hindu.
The statement was issued in response to recent legal actions taken against Prof. Khan, who has been vocal on issues of constitutional rights and social justice. The retired officials expressed concern over the increasing tendency to criminalize legitimate expression and peaceful activism in the country.
They stated, “Expressing dissent and seeking justice, especially when done through constitutional means, is a democratic right, not a criminal act.” They further criticized the misuse of legal provisions to target intellectuals and academics.
The group urged authorities to drop the charges against Prof. Ali Khan and called on the public to recognize the vital importance of protecting civil liberties and academic freedom.
