MLA Langate, Congress Leader Slam PSA Detention of Doda MLA

SRINAGAR: The detention of Doda MLA Mehraj Malik under the Public Safety Act (PSA) has sparked sharp political reactions, with MLA Langate Sheikh Khursheed calling it an “attack on the Assembly” and Congress Working Committee member Ghulam Ahmad Mir describing it as a politically motivated move.

Khursheed, in letters addressed to Speaker of the Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Assembly and Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, termed Malik’s detention a “direct assault on democracy and the sanctity of the House.” He argued that jailing an elected representative under a law meant for extraordinary threats effectively placed the Assembly “under arrest” and deprived constituents of their chosen voice. He urged the Speaker to intervene, demand an explanation from authorities, and secure Malik’s release, warning that silence would set a precedent allowing the executive to silence legislators at will.

In a separate letter to the Chief Minister, Khursheed appealed for an all-party meeting to protect the dignity of the Assembly, stating that failure to act would push democracy “to the edge of collapse.”

Congress leader Ghulam Ahmad Mir also condemned Malik’s detention, alleging that it was intended to divert public attention from pressing governance issues. He said the PSA had been “misused for decades” and should not be applied to elected representatives. Mir questioned the timing of the action, noting that it undermined the democratic mandate after people had waited ten years to elect their legislators.

“Detaining an elected MLA is like silencing the very voice of the public who voted for him,” Mir told reporters. At the same time, he suggested that legislators must present public issues with “decency,” arguing that Malik lacked a proper language approach.

Mir further criticised the administration for political branding of public works, claiming that controversies over shrine renovations were being manufactured to distract from core concerns.