Jammu & Kashmir, Sept 8: The detention of AAP MLA Mehraj Malik from Doda under the Public Safety Act (PSA) has sparked widespread condemnation from political leaders across Jammu & Kashmir. The move, marking the first time a sitting legislator has been booked under the PSA, has reignited debates over the alleged misuse of the law in the region.
UT Jammu and Kashmir CM Omar Abdullah (NC Vice President) stated:
“There is no justification for detaining Mehraj Malik under PSA. He’s not a threat to ‘public safety,’ & using this discredited law to detain him is wrong. If the unelected government can use its powers against an elected representative like this, then how does anyone expect the people of J&K to continue to have faith in democracy?”
Arvind Kejriwal (AAP National Convenor) wrote on X:
“Is demanding a hospital for the people of your area such a grave crime that an elected MLA has to be thrown in jail for it? Mehraj Malik is the lion of the Aam Aadmi Party. He will always remain the voice of the people, fighting for their rights. Jail, threats, and conspiracies—none of these can ever scare any soldier of AAP.”
Aga Ruhullah Mehdi (Former MLA) added:
“Invoking the Public Safety Act (PSA) against MLA Mehraj Malik is unjustifiable. If an elected representative has erred, he must be questioned and dealt with under due process of law. That is how accountability works in a democracy.”
Salman Ali Sagar (NC Spokesperson) tweeted:
“Strongly condemn the use of PSA against MLA Doda @MehrajMalikAAP. Detaining elected representatives under draconian laws sets a dangerous precedent in J&K post-2019, stifling democracy and silencing dissent. Free speech and political voices must be protected, not suppressed.”
Sajad Lone (People’s Conference Chairman) posted:
“We strongly condemn the use of PSA against @MehrajMalikAAP. This is a soulless democracy. The will of the people of J&K continues to be subservient. What is the fun of having elections if an elected representative cannot voice his sentiments. A very sad day for an already endangered democracy.”
Waheed Para (PDP MLA) said:
“Strongly condemn the use of PSA against MLA Mehraj Malik. Such draconian laws are weaponised to silence political voices & crush dissent. Such authoritarian measures are no way to resolve differences in a democracy.”
Asaduddin Owaisi (AIMIM President):
“Mehraj Malik’s detention under the Public Safety Act is absolutely condemnable. He is the first MLA to be detained under the draconian law…”
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The collective condemnation underscores growing concern over the application of the PSA against elected representatives, with leaders warning that such actions threaten democratic norms and civil liberties in Jammu and Kashmir.
Report: Mansoor Qadir.
