Washington, D.C. – Badr Khan Suri, an Indian scholar and postdoctoral fellow at Georgetown University, has been detained in Louisiana by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) under controversial allegations of spreading political opinions deemed unfavorable by American authorities. His detention has raised concerns over the suppression of academic freedom and the targeting of intellectuals based on their associations and beliefs, reported the Times of India.
Suri, who earned his PhD from Jamia Millia Islamia, New Delhi, has been in the U.S. on a student visa. His wife, Mapheze Saleh, an American citizen of Palestinian heritage, is a journalism graduate from the Islamic University of Gaza and holds a master’s degree from Jamia Millia Islamia. She is the daughter of a respected political advisor who has long advocated for Palestinian rights.
Despite attempts to portray him as a threat, a U.S. court has temporarily stayed his deportation, recognizing the need for a fair legal process. Critics argue that Suri’s detention reflects a broader pattern of silencing voices that challenge mainstream narratives on Palestine and international politics. The case has sparked widespread debate, with many questioning the fairness of targeting scholars for their perspectives on global affairs.
