Uneasy Calm in Doda: AAP MP Sanjay Singh Protests Detention of MLA Mehraj Malik under PSA
By: Javid Amin | 10 September 2025
Democracy Tested in Doda
The quiet mountain town of Doda, nestled in the Chenab Valley of Jammu and Kashmir, is witnessing an uneasy calm after the detention of Mehraj Malik, the lone Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) legislator in J&K. Malik was booked under the Public Safety Act (PSA) and shifted to Kathua Jail, accused of disturbing public order.
The arrest has triggered angry protests, with locals, civil society groups, and political observers questioning whether Malik’s detention was about law and order or an attempt to silence dissent. The controversy has escalated after senior AAP leader and Rajya Sabha MP Sanjay Singh joined the agitation, accusing the government of political vendetta.
This unfolding drama is more than just a local political clash—it strikes at the heart of India’s democratic values, raises fresh questions about the misuse of preventive detention laws, and tests the promises of the Omar Abdullah-led government in J&K.
The Detention of Mehraj Malik: What Happened?
The Arrest Under PSA
Mehraj Malik, a grassroots leader and AAP’s only MLA in Jammu and Kashmir, was detained under the Public Safety Act (PSA)—a controversial preventive detention law often criticized as draconian.
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Authorities accused him of disturbing public order.
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He was shifted to Kathua Jail, located far from his constituency, which activists say is a deliberate tactic to cut him off from his supporters.
His Crime? Raising People’s Issues
Malik’s arrest came shortly after his outspoken criticism of local officials and demand for better healthcare facilities in Doda district. He had repeatedly highlighted the lack of doctors, poor hospital infrastructure, and inadequate government response to public grievances.
For many locals, Malik’s detention feels less like a law and order measure and more like a punishment for speaking truth to power.
Sanjay Singh’s Intervention: From Delhi to Doda
The issue gained national attention when Sanjay Singh, AAP’s firebrand Rajya Sabha MP, flew to Jammu and joined the protests.
His Strong Words Against the Government
Singh called the detention “illegal, unconstitutional, and politically motivated.” He accused the BJP and Prime Minister Narendra Modi of running a campaign to “crush AAP wherever it grows”, pointing to a pattern of arrests targeting AAP leaders, including:
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Arvind Kejriwal (Delhi CM, arrested in the liquor policy case)
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Manish Sisodia (former Delhi Deputy CM, jailed in corruption probe)
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Satyendar Jain (Delhi health minister, arrested on money laundering charges)
Mocking the PSA Dossier
In a fiery speech, Singh ridiculed the PSA dossier against Malik, which allegedly included reasons such as:
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Going live on Facebook.
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Having two lakh followers on social media.
“Is having followers on Facebook a crime? Is speaking for hospitals in Doda a threat to national security?” Singh asked, drawing cheers from protestors.
Local Unrest: Uneasy Calm in Doda and Chenab Valley
The detention has sparked a wave of anger across Doda and the larger Chenab Valley.
Voices From the Streets
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Locals accuse the administration of targeting Malik for raising genuine public issues.
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Protesters insist he never incited unrest but merely questioned inefficiency and corruption.
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Civil society groups warn that such actions deepen the trust deficit between the people and the government.
A Region on Edge
The Chenab Valley has long been a sensitive region, balancing between communal harmony and political grievances. Malik’s detention risks reigniting discontent in an already fragile environment.
The Public Safety Act: A Controversial Legacy
Origins of PSA
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Enacted in 1978 by Sheikh Abdullah’s government, the Public Safety Act was initially meant to control timber smuggling.
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Over time, it became a tool for preventive detention—allowing authorities to detain individuals without trial for up to two years.
Why Critics Call it Draconian
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No judicial trial required for months.
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Detainees can be shifted to jails far from home.
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Widely used against political leaders, activists, and youth in Kashmir.
PSA’s Recent History
Since 2019, after the abrogation of Article 370, PSA has been used to detain:
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Former Chief Ministers like Farooq Abdullah and Mehbooba Mufti.
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Hundreds of activists and youth in the Valley.
Malik’s detention is seen as part of this pattern of silencing dissent.
Broader Implications: More Than Just One Arrest
For AAP’s National Politics
The arrest feeds into AAP’s narrative that the BJP is systematically targeting its leaders across India. From Delhi to Punjab to now J&K, AAP frames itself as a victim of political repression.
For Democracy in J&K
Malik’s detention raises uncomfortable questions:
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If even an elected MLA can be jailed for speaking up, what message does that send to ordinary citizens?
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Does preventive detention have a place in a modern democracy that claims to value free speech?
For the Omar Abdullah Government
Sanjay Singh directly challenged Omar Abdullah’s government, reminding it of promises made:
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To oppose “draconian laws” like PSA.
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To restore civil liberties and trust of the people.
Failure to act could damage Omar Abdullah’s credibility as a leader who claims to represent Kashmir’s democratic aspirations.
Historical Context: Political Detentions in J&K
Jammu and Kashmir has a long history of leaders facing detention:
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Sheikh Abdullah (1953): Dismissed and jailed by the Centre.
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Farooq Abdullah (1990): Dismissed during militancy peak, later detained.
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Mehbooba Mufti & Omar Abdullah (2019): Detained under PSA after Article 370 abrogation.
Mehraj Malik’s arrest, though on a smaller scale, fits into this pattern of political detentions—a tool often used to control narratives rather than address governance failures.
Democracy vs. Preventive Detention: Global Perspectives
India is not alone in struggling with preventive detention laws, but democracies worldwide are moving away from such measures.
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UK: Preventive detention is rare and heavily restricted.
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US: Detention without trial is considered unconstitutional, except under extraordinary national security laws.
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India: PSA continues to be one of the most misused preventive detention laws, often attracting global criticism from Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch.
Malik’s case once again places India under the scanner of international human rights observers.
Political Reactions: Allies, Opposition, and Public Voices
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AAP Leadership: Declared it will fight Malik’s detention in Parliament, courts, and streets.
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BJP Leaders: Defended the action, claiming it was based on “administrative necessity” to preserve peace.
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Congress & NC Leaders: Some expressed concern, though muted, wary of appearing soft on AAP.
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Civil Rights Activists: Condemned the move, calling it an assault on free speech.
What Next? The Road Ahead for Doda, AAP, and J&K
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Legal Challenge
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Malik’s family and AAP plan to challenge the detention in the High Court. Courts have in the past quashed hundreds of PSA orders.
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Political Mobilisation
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AAP will use this issue to expand its footprint in J&K, projecting itself as the only party willing to fight for people’s issues.
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Pressure on Omar Abdullah
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The government must decide whether to uphold or review the PSA detention, knowing the political cost of inaction.
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Impact on J&K’s Stability
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Continued detentions may worsen alienation, while releasing Malik could strengthen faith in democratic institutions.
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Conclusion: A Test of Democracy in the Mountains
The detention of Mehraj Malik under PSA is more than just a legal or political issue. It is a litmus test for democracy in Jammu and Kashmir.
As Sanjay Singh leads protests, the episode has ignited national debate on whether India can reconcile security concerns with civil liberties, and whether dissent will be tolerated or punished.
For the people of Doda, it is about something far more personal: the right to be heard, the right to question authority, and the hope that their voices won’t be silenced behind prison walls.
How this unfolds in the coming weeks will not only decide Malik’s fate but also shape the trajectory of J&K’s fragile democracy and India’s global democratic image.
