Activist Detained Under PSA in Doda: Social Worker or Security Threat?

On November 9, Rehmatullah Padder, a 27-year-old activist and social worker from Doda, was detained under the stringent Public Safety Act (PSA), sparking allegations of political vendetta and misuse of law. The detention comes just days after Padder raised concerns about solid waste management in Doda town and questioned the district administration’s handling of the Swachh Bharat Mission (SBM).

This is not the first time Padder has faced PSA detention. In 2016, when he was a 12th-grade student, he was booked under the same law, leading to a six-month jail term. His detention was quashed by the Jammu and Kashmir High Court in 2017, which declared it “illegal.” Despite this, Padder has been subjected to periodic harassment by authorities, his family alleges.

2016 Arrest and Allegations of Police Brutality

Padder’s first encounter with the PSA dates back to 2016 when he was arrested as a Class 12 student following two First Information Reports (FIRs). According to eyewitnesses quoted by Kashmir Life, Padder was forcibly taken from Doda’s main market to the police station and beaten unconscious by a team led by then SHO, Uhday Wazir.

Two other students, Shahid Ahmed and Tawheed Ahmed, were also reportedly detained and beaten. Hundreds protested in Doda against the arrests, during which Padder voiced his concerns over escalating violence against protesters in the Kashmir Valley.

Despite excelling academically, scoring over 90% in his 12th-grade exams from Jawahar Navodaya Vidyalaya in Shopian, Padder’s aspirations of becoming a doctor were cut short by his six-month imprisonment.

Life After Jail: Social Work and Continued Harassment

After his release, Padder turned to social work, volunteering with Ababeel, a Jammu and Kashmir-based NGO known for its humanitarian efforts. His dedication to arranging blood donations and assisting the needy earned him respect in the community.

However, police harassment persisted. “Since 2016, they [police] are after him,” said a family member. Despite being repeatedly summoned by authorities, Padder remained committed to raising public issues, including corruption and civic mismanagement.

The 2024 Elections and Alleged Political Targeting

During the 2024 Assembly Elections, Padder actively campaigned for voting awareness, urging people to choose the “right candidate.” His video promoting the “Inquilab” slogan was seen as support for AAP MLA Mehraj Malik, who won the Doda constituency. Malik, known for his fiery “Inquilab Zindabad” speeches, has publicly defended Padder, alleging his detention is politically motivated.

Social media backlash followed Malik’s victory, with supporters of rival candidates targeting Padder. One such supporter ominously predicted his arrest under the PSA after the elections.

“His arrest is politically motivated,” claimed Fayaz, Padder’s brother.

Allegations Leading to PSA Detention

The current PSA case against Padder accuses him of being an “overground worker (OGW)” for militants and a “militant sympathizer.” Authorities allege he has been involved in anti-national activities, including inciting youth to militancy through social media.

The case cites five FIRs, including two from 2016 for “provocative speeches against the state.” Padder was granted bail in two cases from 2021, 2023, and 2024, involving allegations of kidnapping and assault. It also includes a Daily Diary (DD) note accusing him of radicalizing youth online. However, his online content seems to focus primarily on environmental issues. There is no video that can be described as content “radicalizing youth.”

Advocate Babar Hassan Nehru, founding member of Ababeel, dismissed the allegations as fabricated. “He was targeted for exposing corruption in a sewerage treatment project in Akramabad and for questioning communal harassment by a government employee,” Nehru said.

MLA Mehraj Malik Speaks Out

MLA Mehraj Malik has vocally criticized the detention, questioning its legitimacy. “Why has Rehmatullah been slapped with PSA for raising civic issues? The district administration must answer,” he said. Malik also highlighted the administration’s failure to implement SBM effectively, sharing videos of cattle grazing in waste and describing the situation as a public health hazard.

On X (formerly Twitter), Malik condemned Padder’s detention, writing: “This young man is detained under PSA today; yesterday he had raised questions on District Administration Doda for their failure. This is Swachh Bharat of Modi.”

Media Gag and Intimidation

The district administration has been accused of stifling media coverage of Padder’s detention. A now-deleted Facebook post warned media outlets against “wrong reporting” of the case, threatening “consequences.” A subsequent post labeled Padder an “OGW,” urging the public not to be “misguided.”

Initially, local media remained silent on the matter. However, after Malik’s social media posts, outlets like The Wire, The Chenab Times and some from Kashmir began covering the story. Shortly after, The Chenab Times faced legal threats questioning its registration, despite being recognized by the Election Commission earlier. The Chenab Times senior journalist Raja Shakeel reported on Activist detention under PSA.

The intimidation drew condemnation from journalist organizations, including the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) and DIGIPUB.

A Divided Narrative

While the district administration frames Padder as a security threat, his family and supporters view him as a victim of political vendetta and an advocate for public welfare.

As calls for justice grow louder, the question remains: Is Rehmatullah Padder a social worker being silenced for speaking truth to power, or does he pose a legitimate security risk? The answer may lie in the courts, where his latest PSA detention will undoubtedly be challenged.

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Anzer Ayoob

Anzer Ayoob is the Founder and Chief Editor to The Chenab Times