October 29, 2025

The assembly turned into a buzzing battlefield as legislators from the ruling National Conference alliance, opposition People's Democratic Party, and Awami Ittehad Party united to demand the revocation of the Public Safety Act (PSA) against Aam Aadmi Party MLA Mehraj Malik. They urged the Speaker to allow an open discussion on this hot issue. The lawmakers argued that Malik’s arrest was a slap on the face of the MLA institution and the assembly itself, insisting that his detention is both "illegal and unconstitutional." This fiery claim shook the house. But BJP MLAs fired back, saying the matter is "sub-judice"—meaning it's being looked at by the courts—and hence, the assembly has no right to discuss it. Temperatures soared as some members from both sides tried to rush into the assembly’s well, pressing fiercely for their views. Sajad Shaheen, National Conference MLA from Banihal, fired a sharp shot: "Our colleague Mehraj Malik has been detained unconstitutionally and illegally. Today he was silenced and tomorrow it could be anyone else as this case sets a wrong precedent." BJP’s R S Pathania calmly responded, "PSA is invoked subject to the satisfaction of a District Magistrate and neither the government nor any political party was responsible for that. We cannot discuss this issue here as per the rules. There are some do's and don't's we have to follow in this house and the case is subjudice." Other BJP members stood firmly with him. But National Conference’s Nazir Gurezi countered fiercely: "Assembly is superior to any court of law and anything can be discussed in the house. We make the laws, and courts interpret those laws. Malik was not involved in any militancy or anti-national activity... Also, DC cannot detain anyone at his own will." He demanded, "A committee must be formed by this house to ascertain whether PSA slapped against him was genuine." Awami Ittehad Party’s Sheikh Khursheed added a dramatic note, saying Malik’s arrest "was symbolic and represents the detention of each and every member of this house. Currently, this whole house is under detention not just Malik." Independent legislator Shabir Ahmad Kullay, supporting the ruling alliance, strongly backed the call for Malik’s release and an assembly debate. PDP’s Waheed Para from Pulwama raised the alarm on the erosion of the MLA institution: "We are not opposing PSA (against Malik) on communal or regional grounds. Such acts erode the institution of MLA and Assembly. Today it is your (BJP) government in New Delhi; tomorrow it will change, and the same PSA and UAPA will be used against you (BJP). What is being normalised today will consume our progeny." This fiery exchange of views shows a big battle over democracy and law in the assembly, with powerful voices demanding justice and caution in equal measure. Will Malik win his battle against the PSA? The saga in the assembly is far from over.

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Tags: Psa, Mehraj malik, Legislators, Assembly debate, National conference, Bjp,