Assembly Secretariat denies endorsing PSA, says it has no role in it
STATE TIMES NEWS
JAMMU: Jammu and Kashmir AAP chief and MLA Mehraj Malik was on Monday detained under the stringent Public Safety Act (PSA) in Doda district, officials said.
Soon after his detention, the District Magistrate Doda intimated the Speaker of Legislative Assembly, “In pursuance of the requirement to keep the Speaker of the Legislative Assembly informed, it is kindly submitted that Mehraj Din Malik, Member of Legislative Assembly (Constituency Doda-52), has been booked under the provisions of the Jammu and Kashmir Public Safety Act 1978, on grounds of his activities being prejudicial to the maintenance of public order.”
The DM’s intimation further states that the action has been taken after due consideration of all relevant materials, reports, and circumstances that clearly establish that the continuance of such activities by the Member posed a grave threat to peace, public order, and tranquility in the district.
“Preventive detention under the PSA was, therefore, found necessary in the interest of maintaining public order and safeguarding law and order in the region. This intimation is being submitted for your kind information and record, as required,” the DM;’s letter to LAS Speaker further added.
The J&K unit of the BJP has welcomed the detention of AAP legislator Mehraj Malik under PSA.
“Some fragile elements have entered politics and are indulging in using abusive and unparliamentary language against the general public and public functionaries. These elements not only cause damage to the social fabric of the nation but also to public sentiments,” BJP spokesperson Parimoksh Seth said in a statement.
He said Malik, who is the president of AAP’s J&K unit, is a “habitual trouble maker” and has indulged in misbehaviour with doctors and other officials in the past.
His party has failed to take action against him, the BJP leader said, adding it appears that his party, including its convenor and former chief minister Arvind Kejriwal, support his activities.
“It is high time to deal with all such elements in accordance with the law so that public confidence is upheld in the administration,” he said.
Meanwhile, in an official communiqué, the Jammu and Kashmir Assembly Secretariat informed that “It has been highlighted/reported in some media reports, social media Platforms, X (formerly Twitter) that the Jammu & Kashmir Legislative Assembly Secretariat has endorsed the slapping of provisions of Public Safety Act 1978 on Mehraj Malik, MLA (52-Doda Assembly Constituency) which is factually incorrect and baseless as the Secretariat has no role in it.”
It further reads that, “However, this Secretariat was under an obligation in terms of Rule 260 of Rules of Procedure and Conduct of Business in Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Assembly to inform all the Members of Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Assembly about the aforesaid Arrest/detention of the Member.”
The Assembly Secretariat clarified that, Rule 260 of Rules of Procedure and Conduct of Business in Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Assembly reads as “As soon as may be, the Speaker Shall, after he has received a communication referred to in Rule 258 or Rule 259 read it out in the House, if in Session or if the House is not in Session direct, that it may be Published in the Bulletin for the information of the Members.”
Meanwhile, today late evening Mehraj Malik was shifted to Kathua jail.
Chief Minister Omar Abdullah has expressed his displeasure over Public Safety Act (PSA) slapped on MLA Doda Mehraj Malik, saying there was no justification for detaining him.
He said Malik was not a threat to “public safety”, and using this “discredited” law to detain him was wrong. Taking to micro-blogging site X, Chief Minister Omar Abdullah said: “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 people of J&K to continue to have faith in democracy,” he added on X.
Surjeet Singh, Parbhari BJP Minority Morcha (BJPMM) District Jammu, has strongly condemned the objectionable language used by MLA Doda Mehraj Malik against Deputy Commissioner Doda, Harvinder Singh.
In a statement issued here today, Surjeet Singh said that the words used by the MLA were cheap and highly condemnable, and such behaviour is unacceptable from a public representative.
He asserted that leaders are expected to maintain dignity and respect in public life, and such incidents not only tarnish the image of the institution of democracy but also hurt the sentiments of civil society.
“Every responsible and cultured citizen of society strongly condemns this incident. We demand strict action against the MLA so that such behaviour is not repeated in future. A public representative should be an example of discipline and humility, not of arrogance and disrespect,” Singh remarked.
