Release AAP's Doda MLA Mehraj Malik: National Conference, Congress MLAs in J&K Assembly

The autumn session of J&K assembly started in Srinagar on Thursday, with members of the ruling National Conference and Congress alliance demanding the release of AAP MLA Mehraj Malik who is currently lodged in Kathua Jail.

NC and Congress MLAs held a silent protest inside the assembly complex before the start of proceedings to draw attention to the issue. MLAs, including Tanvir Sadiq of NC and Nizamuddin Bhat of Congress, raised placards and observed a brief sit-in, urging the government to ensure Malik's release. Malik was arrested in September under the Public Safety Act for allegedly disrupting public order in Doda constituency.

The session started with obituary references during which NC and BJP entered into a war of words over the role of former governor, the late Satya Pal Malik, in the abrogation of Article 370 in 2019. NC MLA Bashir Veeri while paying tributes said Malik, who was the last governor of the erstwhile state of J&K, had an illustrious political career but his role in J&K was 'controversial'.


"We, the people of J&K, have mixed memories about him (Malik). His tenure was marred by controversy," said Veeri, which was objected to by BJP MLAs. Speaker Abdul Rahim Rather urged Veeri to remember good things about people who have passed away.

Congress MLA GA Mir called Malik a good leader. "He might have benefitted from it (Article 370 abrogation), but he suffered as well. We saw how he had to struggle in his last days to put the truth before the people," said Mir.

CPI(M) MLA MY Tarigami said obituary does not mean legislators cannot "criticise respectfully". BJP MLA Vikram Randhawa, while referring to Malik, said an ordinary person cannot be made the governor of five states.