CM Omar, Ruhullah, Other Leaders Denounce PSA Action Against Doda MLA

SRINAGAR: Widespread political condemnation erupted on Monday after Doda MLA Mehraj Din Malik was detained under the Jammu and Kashmir Public Safety Act (PSA), with leaders across parties calling the move unjustified and undemocratic.

Chief Minister Omar Abdullah said the law was being misused. “There is no justification for detaining Mehraj Malik under PSA. He’s not a threat to ‘public safety’ and using this discredited law to detain him is wrong. If the unelected government can use its powers against an elected representative like this, how does anyone expect the people of Jammu and Kashmir to continue to have faith in democracy,” Omar wrote on X.

There is no justification for detaining Mehraj Malik under PSA. He’s not a threat to “public safety” & using this discredited law to detain him is wrong. If the unelected government can use its powers against an elected representative like this then how does anyone expect the… https://t.co/W04Xe63vth

— Omar Abdullah (@OmarAbdullah) September 8, 2025

Earlier in the day, speaking to reporters in Awantipora, Omar had said he was unaware of Malik’s detention and would seek details.

Member of Parliament Aga Syed Ruhullah Mehdi also termed the PSA action unjustified, saying the law was meant for exceptional security threats, not to silence voices. “The PSA has become a tool to suppress dissent. Such misuse erodes public trust in institutions,” he posted, while stressing that due process of law should have been followed if Malik had erred.

Invoking the Public Safety Act (PSA) against MLA Mehraj Malik is unjustifiable. If an elected representative has erred, he must be questioned and dealt with under due process of law. That is how accountability works in a democracy.

The PSA, intended for exceptional cases of…

— Office of Aga Syed Ruhullah Mehdi (@Office_ASRM) September 8, 2025

Peoples Conference president Sajad Lone denounced the move as “a sad day for an already endangered democracy.” He said the will of the people remained subservient despite elections and warned that such steps deepened the credibility crisis of democratic institutions.

We strongly condemn the use of the PSA against @MehrajMalikAAP This is a soulless democracy.
The will of the people of J and K continues to be subservient. What is the fun of having elections if an elected representative cannot voice his sentiments. A very sad day for an…

— Sajad Lone (@sajadlone) September 8, 2025

National Conference legislator Salman Ali Sagar described the PSA against Malik as a “dangerous precedent,” saying it aimed at stifling democracy and silencing dissent. He called for Malik’s immediate release, asserting that political voices must be protected, not suppressed.

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.…

— Salman Sagar (@salmanalisagar) September 8, 2025

CPI(M) leader MY Tarigami also slammed the detention, terming the PSA a “black and draconian law.” He said slapping it on an elected representative set a “very wrong precedent” and demanded its revocation.

Malik was booked under the PSA on charges of activities deemed prejudicial to public order, according to officials.