In a concerning development that has drawn national attention, the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) of India has taken suo motu cognizance of the reported arrest and remand of a professor from Ashoka University in Haryana. The news, which surfaced on 20th May 2025, has raised significant questions around the protection of individual rights and academic freedom.
Expressing serious concern, the Commission observed that the media report, which outlined the basis for the arrest, suggests a prima facie violation of the professor’s human rights and personal liberty. Given the gravity of the issue and its implications for civil freedoms, the NHRC has acted swiftly and compassionately by stepping in to seek accountability.
In response, the Commission has issued a formal notice to the Director General of Police, Haryana, asking for a comprehensive and detailed report on the incident within one week. This move underscores the NHRC’s ongoing commitment to safeguarding human rights and ensuring that justice is not only done but seen to be done.
At a time when India celebrates the spirit of Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav, commemorating 75 years of independence, the incident serves as a sobering reminder of the need to vigilantly uphold the values of freedom, fairness, and the rule of law. The NHRC’s intervention offers a ray of hope and reassurance that such matters will not go unexamined, and that the rights of every individual, including those in the academic community, remain protected under the Constitution.
