Indian police have arrested at least eight individuals, including a university professor and a travel vlogger, in coordinated raids across Haryana, Punjab, and Delhi. The detentions, linked to alleged ties to Pakistan or criticism of India’s military, follow heightened tensions stemming from India’s May military campaign, Operation Sindoor, which saw cross-border airstrikes and an Indian jet shot down by Pakistan. A U.S.-brokered ceasefire later halted further escalation, but diplomatic strains remain unresolved.
Academic, Content Creator Face Charges Over Social Media Activity
Ali Khan Mahmudabad, a professor of history at Ashoka University, was detained on May 8 for a social media post questioning the Indian military’s emphasis on religious diversity during press briefings. A complaint by a local BJP youth leader accused Mahmudabad of “inciting disharmony” and undermining national security. Critics, including Indian news outlet ThePrint, denounced the arrest as an attack on free speech, calling it “a shameful insult to democratic traditions.”
Separately, travel vlogger Jyoti Malhotra, known for her YouTube channel with 15,000 subscribers, was arrested under the colonial-era Official Secrets Act. Authorities allege she shared “sensitive information” with Pakistani operatives during two trips to film Sikh pilgrimage sites. Her family dismissed the claims as baseless. Six others—including a student and a security guard—were detained for allegedly accepting funds or directives from Pakistan.
Regional Analysts Reject Espionage Claims as Politically Motivated
Pakistani journalists and analysts have broadly rejected India’s espionage allegations. Veteran journalist Hamid Mir noted, “Spies do not make YouTube videos and put them in public,” arguing the arrests reflect domestic political agendas rather than genuine threats. The scrutiny follows a recent New York Times report criticizing Indian media outlets for amplifying militaristic narratives.
While Indian officials maintain the detentions are necessary to safeguard national security, civil liberties advocates warn of escalating censorship. The arrests coincide with renewed debate over India’s use of broad legal statutes, such as the Official Secrets Act, to stifle dissent—a trend watchdogs say risks eroding democratic norms.