The Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Assembly descended into chaos on Wednesday as Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) MLA Mehraj Malik was allegedly assaulted by members of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), following a series of contentious remarks made against late PDP founder and former Chief Minister Mufti Mohammad Sayeed.
The incident occurred shortly after the Assembly was adjourned for the day. According to eyewitnesses and video footage captured by the media, Malik was engaged in a verbal altercation with PDP members near the media gallery before the situation escalated into a physical confrontation.
Malik alleged that he was first assaulted by PDP workers, including party member Arif Amin, for calling Sayeed “a traitor.” “The police stood by like PDP workers,” Malik said outside the Assembly. He demanded that the Superintendent of Police be summoned for failing to act.
Tensions further intensified when Malik reportedly made additional remarks critical of BJP leaders. BJP MLAs, led by Vikram Randhawa and Yudhvir Sethi, allegedly joined the scuffle. In the chaos, Malik fell onto a table, which broke, and was eventually escorted back into the House by Assembly marshals.
National Conference (NC) legislators, including Cabinet Minister Sakina Itoo, expressed shock over the incident and supported Malik’s call for an official inquiry. Assembly marshals locked the doors behind Malik to prevent further escalation, barring PDP and BJP members from following him inside.
Outside the chamber, BJP legislators accused Malik of consistently using abusive and derogatory language. They urged Speaker Abdul Rahim Rather to initiate disciplinary action. PDP member Arif Amin was escorted from the civil secretariat by security personnel following the confrontation.
Senior AAP leader Safeer Choudhary condemned the incident, terming it “an assault on democracy.” Speaking to reporters, Choudhary questioned the silence of the ruling establishment and accused the BJP of attempting to suppress dissenting voices. “Is Mehraj Malik being targeted for asking tough questions about the Waqf Amendment Bill and unemployment?” he asked.
Choudhary also criticized the BJP’s labeling of dissenters as “anti-national,” and accused Randhawa of using divisive rhetoric. “Every time someone disagrees with the BJP, they are branded as enemies of the nation. Is this what democracy has come down to?” he said.
The Assembly session—already marred by repeated disruptions—saw continued protests from both NC and BJP members earlier in the day. NC legislators demanded discussion on the Waqf Act, while BJP members pushed for a motion on unemployment, which was disallowed by the Speaker. This led to sloganeering, sit-ins in the Well of the House, and a heated exchange between opposition benches.
The incident has drawn widespread attention, with parts of the confrontation aired live on television, raising concerns over the security and decorum of the legislative premises. Media persons and visitors were evacuated from the Assembly complex following the scuffle.
Speaker Rather is expected to make a formal statement on the matter. Reports indicate the issue may be referred to the Assembly’s Ethics or Privileges Committee for further examination.
Meanwhile, AAP has vowed to pursue the matter legally and politically. “This fight is not just for Mehraj Malik, but for every voice that seeks to speak truth to power,” Choudhary said.
The clash casts a shadow over the final day of the first budget session under the current government, raising fresh concerns about the functioning and integrity of the democratic process in the region.
© The Chenab Times
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