SAHIL BHAT
OCT 27: The Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Assembly on Monday witnessed uproar wherein several MLA’s exchanged barbs over the issue of MLA Mehraj Malik detained under Public Safety Act (PSA).
While BJP MLA Udhampur East RS Pathania raised his voice that opposed MLA Mehraj Malik citing invoking Public Safety Act is within the realm of Deputy Commissioner. This resulted in turmoil from several MLAs from the treasury benches, including Awami Ittehad Party (AIP) MLA Sheikh Khursheed. The members rose from their seats and Speaker Abdul Rahim Rather asked them to take their seats.
MLA Shopian, Shabir Kullay, staged agitation and made an attempt to enter the well of the House. However, the Speaker Rather did not permit and asked the members to restore peace in the Assembly. The speaker allowed the BJP MLA RS Pathania to continue.
MLA Pathania said an issue that is pending before the Court of law cannot be discussed in the House.
In the course of this, NC MLA Nazir Ahmad Khan Gurezi intervened and asked, “Will this state be run by DCs?”
“Had MLA Malik been involved in any anti-national activity, we would have never upheld it. But who gives powers to DC to send anyone to behind bars? The oppression unleashed us beyond tolerance. Today, it is Malik, tomorrow it can be anybody even you. Since, this House is supreme. We can discuss the issue,” MLA Gurezi said.
People’s Conference MLA Sajad Lone severely reprimanded PSA slapped on Malil, and called Public Safety Act “Draconian Law”
At this, Speaker Rather said if anything is pending before the court of law, it cannot be permitted to discuss in the House.
