Jammu, October 7: A public petition demanding the immediate release of Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leader Mehraj Malik from preventive detention and the repeal of the controversial Public Safety Act (PSA) in Jammu and Kashmir has crossed the 17,000-signature mark, reflecting growing public disquiet over the law’s application just days before a crucial High Court hearing.
Launched by socio-political activist Muddasir Hassan, the State spokesperson for AAP in the region, the online campaign on Change.org has seen a surge in support, with 247 signatures added on Tuesday alone till 1pm. Recent signatories include residents from across the Kashmir Valley and Jammu division, underscoring the petition’s resonance amid allegations of arbitrary detentions targeting political voices.
Mr. Malik, the elected MLA from Doda East and State president of AAP in Jammu and Kashmir, was detained on September 8 under the PSA, 1978, and lodged in Kathua district jail. The Act, which permits detention without trial for up to two years on grounds of “public order,” has drawn sharp criticism from human rights bodies, both domestic and international, for its potential misuse against dissenters. Over the past few years, more than 600 individuals—including journalists, activists, and elected representatives—have reportedly been held under its provisions in the region, often for expressing political opinions.
The petition frames Mr. Malik’s arrest as a “blatant violation of human rights and democratic principles,” highlighting his 16-year record of advocacy for marginalised communities, education, and equality. “Mehraj Malik is not just an ordinary citizen—he is a symbol of hope for thousands,” the campaign states, urging the Government of Jammu and Kashmir to quash the detention order and abolish the PSA to “restore democratic values.”
In a significant judicial development last month, the High Court of Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh at Jammu admitted a habeas corpus petition filed on Mr. Malik’s behalf, issuing notices to key officials including the Principal Secretary (Home), District Magistrate of Doda, Senior Superintendent of Police, Doda, and the Superintendent of Kathua jail. Senior Advocate Rahul Pant, representing the petitioner along with a team of lawyers, argued for urgency, citing Mr. Malik’s status as an elected legislator whose incarceration impedes public duties. The plea also seeks ₹5 crore in compensation for the alleged infringement of personal liberty and levels accusations of “personal bias” against the detaining authority.
The court, under Justice Vinod Chatterji Koul, has scheduled the next hearing for October 14, granting the government until then to file its response. Senior Additional Advocate General Monika Kohli accepted the notices during the proceedings, which were described as a matter of “wide public importance.”
Mr. Hassan, a Pulwama-based activist with over 13 years in grassroots education and social work, emphasised the petition’s momentum in a recent update: “We need your support more than ever. Every signature brings us closer to justice. Let’s stand united to repeal this draconian law and allow leaders like Mehraj Malik to continue speaking for the poor and voiceless.” The campaign has also called for broader shares to amplify its reach to decision-makers in the Union Territory administration.
The PSA’s legacy in Jammu and Kashmir traces back to its imposition during periods of heightened unrest, but post-2019 reorganisation of the region into a Union Territory, its use has intensified scrutiny from civil society. Amnesty International and other watchdogs have documented patterns of “preventive” arrests stifling free expression, with the law often invoked without substantiating threats to public safety.
As the October 14 hearing approaches, the petition’s threshold of 17,306 verified signatures—bolstered by real-time endorsements from figures like Arshad Mughal and Javed Mir—signals a deepening civil pushback against what petitioners term an erosion of constitutional safeguards. Whether this groundswell influences judicial or executive action remains to be seen, but it has already spotlighted the fragile interplay between security imperatives and democratic freedoms in the region.
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| Full name | Tahir Rihat | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Also known as | Tahir Bilal | ||
| Date of Birth | 02 January 1999 | ||
| Occupation | Journalist; Online Editor | ||
| Employer | The Chenab Times | ||
| Base | Thathri, Doda, Jammu & Kashmir, India | ||
| Website | tahirrihat.com | ||
| Social | YouTube | ||
Tahir Rihat (also known as Tahir Bilal) is an Indian journalist and online editor at The Chenab Times. Based in Thathri, Doda, he reports on regional affairs, civic governance, and human-interest stories across Jammu and Kashmir. Rihat also maintains a personal website, tahirrihat.com, where he shares professional updates and reflections on journalism in the Chenab Valley.
