It’s well within the rule. The rule is there for a reason. In fact the batsman leaving the crease early should be called out for cheating. In the absence of run out provision the batsman would be halfway to the pitch, would it be fair?
The relevant IPL Playing Conditions state: “If the non-striker is out of his/her ground at any time from the moment the ball comes into play until the instant when the bowler would normally have been expected to release the ball, the non-striker is liable to be run out". I clearly don’t understand the plight of blaming Ashwin and terming his act “disgraceful” and specially by these Aussie players and English one’s who can get down to any sort of level, be it ball tampering or match fixing. This mankad act is well within the rules and Ashwin just followed it with the 3rd Umpire giving the final verdict. There has been many instances when this has happened in the past and has always evoked controversy. Either the ICC brings a clear cut rule to end this or let these critics who are now very vocal being biased keep their “spirit of game” to themselves and follow whats in the rule book.