Junaid Mattu Seeks Special Assembly Session Over MLA Mehraj Malik’s PSA Detention, Questions Speaker’s Role, Slams CM’s Silence

Srinagar, Sep 11, KNT: Former Srinagar Mayor Junaid Azim Mattu has strongly reacted to the detention of sitting MLA Doda Mehraj Malik under the Public Safety Act, demanding that the Jammu and Kashmir Assembly be convened immediately through a Special Session to ensure the legislator’s presence in the House.

Mattu said that while the Speaker had no role in the arrest or in the invocation of PSA against Malik, he would fail in his constitutional duty as the custodian of the Assembly if he did not summon the House to discuss the issue.

“The J&K Assembly must be convened through a Special Session to seek the presence of one of its members detained under the PSA. The Speaker had no role in the arrest or invocation of PSA, true, but the Speaker will fail in his duty as the custodian of the House if he doesn’t summon the House,” Mattu remarked.

Taking a direct dig at the Chief Minister, Mattu said every instance of an MLA being humiliated, regardless of party affiliation, reflected the failure of the government’s leadership.

“Every incident of an MLA being humiliated,of any party, stops at the door of the Chief Minister. His capitulation and effortless ‘adaptation’ to the second-fiddle system of governance has given out a damning message to the officialdom. And the MLAs will bear the brunt,” Mattu said.

Accusing the Chief Minister of indifference, he added, “A profound and repeated failure to comprehend what’s going on, no sense of occasion. A member of the Assembly, of which the CM is the leader, is detained under PSA, and it is business as usual for him! Marathons and Wedding Planners Expo!”

The detention of MLA Mehraj Malik has already led to prohibitory orders in Doda and triggered widespread criticism. [KNT]