Srinagar, Oct 27: The Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Assembly on Monday witnessed heated scenes over the detention of Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) MLA Mehraj Malik under the Public Safety Act (PSA).
The uproar began when National Conference (NC) MLA from Banihal, Sajjad Shaheen, demanded a one hour discussion on Malik’s detention, calling it a matter of democratic concern. However, BJP MLA from Udhampur East, R.S. Pathania, countered that invoking PSA is the prerogative of the district magistrate, triggering protests from Opposition benches.
The exchanges grew tense as members from the treasury benches and independent MLA Sheikh Khursheed of the Awami Ittehad Party (AIP) joined the heated debate. Independent MLA from Shopian, Shabir Kullay, attempted to enter the well of the House before being stopped by Speaker Abdul Rahim Rather, who urged members to maintain decorum.
“Let him (Pathania) speak even if you don’t like what he says,” the Speaker told the protesting members, before clarifying that matters pending before courts cannot be discussed in the House.
NC MLA from Gurez, Nazir Ahmad Khan Gurezi, strongly objected to the explanation, questioning, “Will this state be run by DCs?” He argued that the House had the right to discuss the detention and demanded a committee to probe whether Malik’s arrest was justified.
People’s Conference (PC) leader and MLA from Handwara, Sajad Lone, described the PSA as a “black law” and termed Malik’s detention “unjustified.”
Amid continued protests, Speaker Rather reiterated that since the case is sub-judice, it cannot be debated in the Assembly.
The Public Safety Act (PSA) allows authorities in Jammu and Kashmir to detain individuals without trial for up to two years on grounds of public order or security of the state.