Although Khan claimed that his post was meant to appreciate the armed forces for choosing Colonel Sofiya Qureshi and Wing Commander Vyomika Singh to lead a press conference, many in the government and ruling party perceived the post differently.His post was viewed in these quarters not as a show of support for India but rather a critique. His choice of words was also criticised after using the term ‘optics’ to refer to women officers briefing the media on Operation Sindoor, with sources alleging that it revealed a questionable intent.The faculty of Ashoka University defended Ali Khan Mahmudabad by issuing a statement condemning the arrest and describing him as an invaluable member of the university community. They also described the charges against him as ‘groundless and untenable.’“The optics of two women soldiers presenting their findings is important, but optics must translate to reality on the ground otherwise it is just hypocrisy,” he wrote on a Facebook post.Speaking to TNIE, senior BJP and government officials said the use of the words “optics” and “hypocrisy” in reference to two female officers was inappropriate and appeared to cast aspersions.Ali had also written in his post that, for him “the press conference was just a fleeting glimpse, an illusion and allusion perhaps, to an India that defied the logic on which Pakistan was built.”Several BJP supporters and sources also criticised Khan, saying his post sent a wrong message at a time when India was facing a near-war-like situation due to Pakistan-backed terrorism.On the other hand, the Congress on Sunday said the professor’s arrest over his ‘thoughtful’ post reflected the Narendra Modi government’s ‘double standards’ as several BJP ministers faced no action for ‘demeaning’ the armed forces.
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