Bhaderwah / Doda, Sept 8: The simmering conflict between the District Administration Doda and AAP MLA from Doda constituency, Mehrraj Malik, has now exploded into a full-blown political storm. On Monday, the Jammu & Kashmir Legislative Assembly Secretariat issued a bulletin announcing that MLA Malik has been booked under the Jammu and Kashmir Public Safety Act (PSA), 1978, for one year — a move that has drawn sharp criticism across the political spectrum.
The order, signed by District Magistrate Doda, cited Malik’s activities as “prejudicial to the maintenance of public order” and claimed his actions posed a “grave threat to peace, public order and tranquility in the district.” With this, Malik has become the first legislator in J&K to be detained under the PSA, a preventive detention law often criticised by rights groups.
Soon after the announcement, supporters of Malik poured onto the streets of Doda and Bhaderwah, staging protests and raising slogans against the administration. They termed the detention “a conspiracy to silence the voice of the people of Chenab Valley.” Many described the action as an insult to the democratic mandate given to Malik by thousands of voters in Doda.
The political reaction has been equally sharp. On social media platforms, MLAs and leaders from different parties expressed solidarity with Malik. MLA Banihal, Sajad Shaheen, in a strongly-worded Facebook post, wrote:
“I strongly condemn the arrest of an elected MLA in Jammu & Kashmir. This is not merely an attack on an individual but an affront to the democratic mandate of the people. Silencing people’s representatives is silencing the voice of the people. Such actions not only weaken institutions but also erode public faith in democracy.”
People’s Conference chairman, Sajad Lone, also lashed out at the government on X (formerly Twitter):
“We strongly condemn the use of the PSA against Mehrraj Malik. This is a soulless democracy. The will of the people of J and 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.”
PDP youth leader MLA Waheed Para too voiced his anger: “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.”
Local residents also expressed fear that this decision could widen the gulf between people and the administration. “We voted for our MLA to raise our voice. If he is silenced, what hope is left for common citizens?” AAP activist Owais Mansoor in Bhaderwah said, who along with another associate was detained by the police during protests.
Civil society groups too stepped in. A collective of lawyers in Doda described the detention as a “serious constitutional setback,” arguing that preventive detention of elected representatives undermines the very spirit of parliamentary democracy. Human rights activists pointed out that the PSA, which has often been criticised internationally, is now being used not just against ordinary citizens but even against people’s representatives — raising questions about accountability and transparency.
Observers point out that the ongoing tussle between DC Doda and MLA Malik had been intensifying in recent months, with repeated confrontations in official meetings and public platforms. The PSA detention order now appears as the ultimate assertion of bureaucratic authority over an elected representative.
Earlier today, government employees held a protest rally against MLA Mehraj Malik, accusing him of using abusive language against DC Doda.
As the dust settles on this unprecedented episode, one conclusion rings loud and clear: bureaucracy may have secured its victory, but democracy has suffered a deep wound in Doda.
Report : Mansoor Qadir.
