Voices being systematically silenced in Kashmir: Mehraj Malik

Jammu, May 03: Days after the Jammu and Kashmir High Court set aside his detention under the Public Safety Act (PSA), Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) MLA from Doda (East), Mehraj Malik, on Sunday alleged that the Kashmir Valley is in a “bad state” where voices are being “systematically silenced.”

Addressing a public gathering in Doda following his release, MLA Malik as per news agency Kashmir News Service (KNS) claimed that only “one class, one area, one constituency” gets attention in the Union Territory, while dissent is being crushed across the rest of the region.

“We have always seen what is happening in Kashmir. Voices are being silenced. Is it not necessary that the air flows through these mountains? It will flow,” Malik said without directly naming the Centre or the Lieutenant Governor.

The MLA, who was detained under the stringent PSA last year, narrated the story of a 70-year-old man from Kunj to illustrate the climate of fear prevailing in the Valley.

“He speaks the truth. He raises the mistakes of the government. But there is no one to listen to him. Neither the people of the house nor the people of the area will listen to him,” Malik said.

He further alleged that the youth in Kashmir understand the situation but are afraid to speak openly. “The young man knows. His heart says. His mind says. But he is afraid to speak. You need courage to speak,” he told the gathering.

MLA Malik drew a parallel between the Union Territory and the national capital, where his party is locked in a bitter tussle with the LG’s office, suggesting that suppression of voices is not limited to Kashmir alone.

He urged the people, especially the youth, to bring the change. “Change depends on you,” he said.