Protests Erupt as AAP MLA Mehraj Malik Held Under PSA; Internet slowed, Security tightened in Doda

September 9, 2025

Jammu: Party workers and supporters protested in Doda and other parts of Jammu and Kashmir against the arrest of AAP MLA Mehraj Malik from Doda, Jammu and Kashmir. After this, police and security forces have been deployed in the district.

Raising slogans in support of Malik’s release, hundreds of his supporters took out a march from Bhatyas village and started the ‘Doda Chalo’ movement. People are reaching the district headquarters in large numbers.

Malik, the AAP’s Jammu and Kashmir unit president, was detained under the Public Security Act (PSA) on September 8 for allegedly disrupting public order and was later lodged in Kathua district jail.

People claim- Internet service has been slowed down in the district

A large number of security forces have been deployed in the Doda district headquarters along with Gandoh, Bhalesha, Chilli Pingal, Kahara and Thathri tehsils. Some locals claim that internet services have been slowed down in many parts of Malik’s Kahara village.

Mehraj became MLA for the first time in 2024 after winning the election from Doda. Mehraj is accused of using abusive language against the family of the Deputy Commissioner of Doda. So far 18 FIRs have been registered against Malik in several cases.

When he was arrested, he was protesting against the arrest of a local man under the PSA. The Deputy Commissioner of Doda said that Malik’s arrest was necessary to maintain peace in the area.

CM Abdullah termed the arrest as wrong

Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah said- Mehraj’s arrest is absolutely wrong. He was not a threat to the peace of Doda district in any way. If such behavior is done against the representative of the elected government, then it will be difficult for Jammu and Kashmir to believe in democracy.

Arvind Kejriwal said- Mehraj Malik is the lion of Aam Aadmi Party. He will always fight for the rights of the people by becoming their voice. Jail cannot scare any soldier of Aam Aadmi Party.

On the arrest of Mehraj Malik, his father Shamas Din Malik said- Now the court will decide. There was a fight with Doda Deputy Commissioner Sahib, but a false case has been registered against him under PSA.

On his arrest, AAP party spokesperson said- If Mehraj is not released, a war will start against BJP in entire Kashmir. AAP leader Surinder Singh Shingari said- It is not right to impose PSA on any MLA. It should be removed and he should be released.

For the first time an MLA has been arrested under PSA

AAP MLA Mehraj Malik is the first MLA in the country to be arrested under PSA. Under this law, a person can be detained for 2 years (in security cases) or 1 year (in law and order cases) without trial. PSA is applicable only in Jammu and Kashmir.

It was passed by the assembly in 1978. Initially, its purpose was to stop illegal felling of trees from forests and to control smuggling. Gradually, it was also used to suppress political protests.

Mehraj Malik withdrew his support from the National Conference (NC) in July. Mehraj had said that this decision has been taken in the interest of my people of Jammu and Kashmir, whose trust and welfare will always be my priority.