The Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Assembly began its autumn session on Thursday, opening with tributes to late members before quickly turning into a platform for political contention. Lawmakers from the National Conference (NC) raised concerns over the continued detention of Doda MLA Mehraj Malik under the Public Safety Act (PSA), calling his incarceration a blow to democratic representation.
NC legislators Tanvir Sadiq and Hilal Akbar Lone urged the government to ensure Malik’s immediate release, arguing that an elected representative’s detention prevents him from performing his constitutional duties. “People of Doda have chosen their representative. He must be allowed to take part in the Assembly proceedings and raise the issues of his constituency,” the lawmakers said while seeking permission from the Speaker to initiate a discussion on the matter.
Speaker Abdul Rahim Rather, however, disallowed the discussion during the opening sitting, noting that the session had commenced with the customary homage proceedings. He advised the members to raise the issue at a more appropriate time during the session.
Outside the Assembly complex, NC legislators and supporters held a silent protest, demanding the “unconditional release” of Malik. The protestors carried placards reading “Free Mehraj Malik” and “Restore Doda’s Representation,” maintaining silence for several minutes before addressing the media.
Speaking to reporters, NC Chief Spokesperson Tanvir Sadiq termed the detention “unjustified and undemocratic.” “An elected MLA cannot serve his people from behind bars,” Sadiq said. “His continued detention under the PSA deprives the people of Doda of their rightful voice in the Assembly.”
Hilal Akbar Lone echoed the sentiment, saying that the government must “uphold constitutional values” and allow every elected member to perform their duties. The NC leaders accused the administration of silencing democratic voices and vowed to continue raising the issue inside and outside the House.
Malik, who represents the Doda constituency, was arrested earlier this year and subsequently booked under the PSA. His detention has drawn sharp criticism from opposition parties and civil society groups who say it undermines the democratic process.
The issue is expected to resurface when the Assembly resumes political business later in the session.
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The Chenab Times News Desk
