J-K parties condemn detention of AAP MLA Mehraj Malik under PSA

Srinagar, Sep 8 (PTI) Cutting across party lines, ruling National Conference, opposition PDP and People's Conference on Monday condemned the detention of AAP MLA from Doda, Mehraj Malik, under the stringent Public Safety Act (PSA), saying it was an "assault on democracy".

"Strongly condemn the use of PSA against MLA Doda @MehrajMalikAAP. Detaining elected representatives under draconian laws sets a dangerous precedent in J&K post-2019, stifling democracy and silencing dissent. Free speech and political voices must be protected, not suppressed," National Conference spokesman and Hazratbal MLA Salman Ali Sagar said in a post on X.

Opposition PDP also condemned the detention of the MLA from Doda.

"Strongly condemn the use of PSA against MLA Mehraj Malik. Such draconian laws are weaponised to silence political voices & crush dissent. Such authoritarian measures are no way to resolve differences in a democracy," PDP MLA from Pulwama Waheed Para said in a post on X.

People's Conference leader Sajad Gani Lone in a statement strongly denounced the slapping of the PSA on Malik, describing it as "yet another assault on the democratic fabric" of Jammu and Kashmir.

"We strongly condemn the use of PSA against MLA Mehraj Malik. This is a soulless democracy," Lone said, stressing that such actions reduce the democratic process to a mere facade.

Lone said the people's mandate continues to remain "powerless" despite the conduct of elections.

"The will of the people of J&K continues to be subservient. What is the purpose of holding elections if an elected representative is denied the right to express his sentiments?" he asked.

Lone alleged that such measures only deepen the "crisis of credibility facing the democratic institutions" in the region. "It is a very sad day for an already endangered democracy," he added.

CPI(M) leader and Kulgam MLA M Y Tarigami called for the revocation of PSA. "Slapping PSA on an elected member of the Legislative Assembly sets a very wrong precedent. Such a harsh and unjustified measure must be immediately revoked," Tarigami said in a statement. PTI MIJ MNK MNK