Political parties condemn “PSA” detention of MLA Doda Mehraj Malik

Srinagar: Political parties across Jammu and Kashmir have strongly condemned the arrest and subsequent detention of Doda MLA Mehraj Malik under the “Public Safety Act (PSA)”, terming it an “undemocratic move that sets a dangerous precedent”. Malik, who was arrested on Monday and booked under various charges, was reportedly taken into custody. There are several charges against him.

His detention under the PSA — a law often criticized by rights groups for its sweeping powers allowing detention without trial — has triggered sharp criticism from mainstream parties in the Union Territory. Peoples Conference president Sajad Gani Lone called the detention an assault on democratic principles, stressing that elected representatives should not be silenced through administrative measures.

“It has set a bad precedent that an elected MLA has been booked under the PSA. You can’t suppress the voices of an elected MLA. If he has said anything wrong, let the court decide,” Lone said. PDP leader and MLA Waheed Parra also criticized the government’s move, calling it an attempt to muzzle dissent. “Strongly condemn the use of PSA against MLA Mehraj Malik. Such draconian laws are weaponized to silence political voices and crush dissent. Such authoritarian measures are no way to resolve differences in a democracy,” Parra said.

National Conference leader and MLA Salman Sagar echoed similar sentiments, warning that the detention of elected representatives undermines democratic institutions in Jammu and Kashmir, especially in the post-2019 context. “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,” Sagar said.

Despite political differences with Malik, PDP spokesperson Mohit Bhan also voiced opposition to the government’s action. “Despite strong observations about Mehraj Malik’s conduct, I oppose the use of PSA against him. Using draconian laws on elected representatives sets a dangerous precedent. Democracy confronts dissent, not criminalizes it,” Bhan said. The Public Safety Act, enacted in 1978, allows detention without trial for up to two years in some cases.