Mehbooba Calls for Special Assembly Session Over AAP MLA’s PSA Detention

Quick Summary

• Former J&K Chief Minister and PDP president Mehbooba Mufti has urged Assembly Speaker Abdul Rahim Rather to convene a special session condemning teh detention of AAP legislator Mehraj Malik under the Public Safety Act (PSA).
• Protests had erupted in Doda district following Mr. Malik’s arrest, but the situation is gradually normalizing.
• Ms. Mufti described the detention as “an attack on democratic values and institutions” and called for a joint resolution through the Assembly to pressure the Center for Mr. Malik’s release.
• She emphasized legal aid for poor Kashmiris imprisoned across India and criticized those who supported Article 370 abrogation, referring specifically to AAP’s stance in 2019.
• BJP MP Gulam Ali Khatana criticized Ms. Mufti’s remarks, suggesting her statements aim solely to revive her party while highlighting J&K’s past unrest under previous leaderships.
• Authorities reported relaxation of prohibitory orders in Doda district amid signs of advancement in local conditions; Section 163 restrictions remain on gatherings exceeding four people.

Indian Opinion Analysis

The arrest of an elected representative under PSA raises meaningful concerns about judicial overreach or misuse of administrative powers in jammu & Kashmir-a region characterized by its complex political landscape as Article 370 abrogation. Ms.mehbooba Mufti’s insistence on democratic processes for dispute resolution underscores broader implications for governance standards and human rights protection within India. The protests following MLA Malik’s detention illustrate underlying tensions between authority figures and local communities, necessitating measured state intervention to ensure stability.

While BJP counterarguments focus on past leadership failures, such confrontations highlight enduring challenges J&K faces regarding reconciliation between diverse political viewpoints while ensuring institutional integrity thrives amid ongoing socio-political transition.

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