PDP president Mehbooba Mufti on Wednesday claimed that AAP MLA Mehraj Malik was being made a scapegoat to divert attention from the Hazratbal emblem controversy in Jammu and Kashmir.
Malik, who also heads the J-K unit of the AAP, was detained on Monday under the stringent Public Safety Act (PSA) for allegedly disturbing public order in Doda district and was later lodged in Kathua district jail.
Speaking to reporters at the party headquarters, Mehbooba said, “Religious sentiments were hurt in Hazratbal. Instead of apologising and taking action against the Waqf Board and its chairperson, they have registered a case against people who expressed their anger against the desecration.”
She added, “The MLA from Doda, Mehraj Malik, might have used harsh words or abusive language, but to book an elected representative under the PSA seems to be a tactic to divert attention from the situation in Kashmir due to the Hazratbal incident.”
Mehbooba also criticised the administration for focusing on Malik’s arrest while Doda was still struggling with the impact of heavy rainfall. “This speaks volumes about the enforcement of law in Jammu and Kashmir,” she said.
The PDP chief urged the Lieutenant Governor to stop action against those involved in the Hazratbal incident and to release the MLA. “It will be my appeal to the LG to withdraw the FIR in the Hazratbal incident and also release MLA Doda. He might have used harsh language, but PSA or jail is not the punishment for it,” she said.
She warned that suppressing people’s freedom of expression could worsen the situation. “Look at the situation in Bangladesh, Sri Lanka or even Nepal now… see the situation obtaining in Doda. The LG should take cognisance of the situation on the ground and set right the atmosphere by withdrawing the FIR and releasing MLA Doda,” Mehbooba added.
