Omar Abdullah Slams PSA Detention of AAP MLA Mehraj Malik in Jammu and Kashmir
In a strong statement from Chennai, Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah hit out at the authorities on Saturday for slapping the tough Public Safety Act (PSA) on AAP MLA Mehraj Malik. He called it a clear misuse of the law against an elected leader.
Omar Abdullah told reporters that while there might be some complaints about Malik’s actions, using such a harsh preventive detention law feels way over the top. "Law and order and policing aren’t under the elected government’s control," he said. "But booking an MLA under PSA is absolutely wrong—it’s an excessive force against someone chosen by the people."
For context, AAP’s Mehraj Malik, who represents the Doda constituency in Jammu and Kashmir, got detained on September 8 under the Jammu and Kashmir Public Safety Act 1978. This law lets officials hold people without trial for up to two years if they see a threat to public order. Malik’s arrest stemmed from claims that his activities could harm peace in the area.
The drama continues in Bhalessa, Doda district, where prohibitory orders under Section 163 of the Bharatiya Nagrik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS) are still in place after Malik’s detention. These restrictions aim to keep things calm amid the tension.
Adding to the voices against this, National Conference MP Aga Syed Ruhullah Mehdi spoke up a day earlier. He argued that the PSA targets terrorists or silences political opponents, not everyday politicians. "This isn’t just about one MLA—it’s an attack on democracy itself," Mehdi said. "Under the BJP government, the law feels like a joke. If an elected MLA like Malik faces vague charges under PSA, imagine the state of our democracy. Even if he’s done something wrong, normal laws could handle it, not this draconian tool."
The PSA has long sparked debates in Jammu and Kashmir for its role in preventive detentions, often criticized for curbing free speech and political activity. As reactions pour in, many wonder if this case highlights bigger issues with law enforcement in the region.
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