More voices join condemnation of Doda MLA Mehraj Malik's detention under PSA, warn of mass protests

JAMMU/SRINAGAR: AAP legislator Mehraj Malik’s detention under the Public Safety Act (PSA) is snowballing into a major political controversy in J&K, with political parties fearing this could become a norm for elected representatives, and seeking his immediate release.

Accusing BJP and the central government of attempting to crush the party wherever its footprints increase, senior AAP MP Sanjay Singh on Wednesday termed the Doda MLA’s detention as “illegal and unconstitutional”. “We will fight this injustice on the streets, in Parliament, and, if necessary, in the Supreme Court,” he declared. Asked about Malik allegedly using abusive language against public functionaries, Singh said it’s officials who often use abusive language toward the public.

Malik, who also heads AAP’s J&K unit, was detained on Monday — a day after he accused Doda deputy commissioner Harvinder Singh of misusing his authority — on charges of disturbing public order, and was subsequently lodged in Kathua district jail. He is the first sitting legislator in J&K to be detained under PSA, which allows a person to be kept in custody without charges or trial for up to two years.

CM Omar Abdullah, who has strongly condemned Malik’s detention under what he termed “discredited law”, met the legislator’s father Shams-ud-Din Malik on Tuesday evening. Shams-ud-Din, who had travelled from Doda, said he asked the chief minister to secure his son’s release, and was told by Omar that “the entire J&K is with your son”.

NC president Farooq Abdullah and PDP chief Mehbooba Mufti, too, spoke out on Wednesday, warning that attempts to crush people’s voices could lead to mass eruptions. Farooq said LG Manoj Sinha would be solely responsible if law and order situation worsened in the Chenab Valley of Jammu, which is witnessing massive protests against the action against Malik. Security and law and order in J&K are under the LG’s charge.

Mehbooba accused the administration of detaining Malik to divert attention from the controversy over desecration of the national emblem at Hazratbal shrine. Referring to the mass uprisings in India’s neighbouring countries, she warned against stifling dissent and said: “We have seen in Sri Lanka, Bangladesh and now in Nepal what happens when govts suppress voices. If you silence people, situations can spiral out of hand.”

The situation in Doda district, meanwhile, remained tense, but under control. The administration had imposed prohibitory orders after clashes between protesters and security personnel on Tuesday, and internet services were also snapped in the district. On Wednesday morning, additional forces were deployed to maintain law and order.