The Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Assembly Secretariat has served a show cause notice to Pulwama MLA Waheed-ur-Rehman Para for allegedly making “misleading” and “factually incorrect” remarks on social media over the detention of Doda MLA Mehraj Din Malik, under the Public Safety Act (PSA).
The notice, issued under No. LA-3657/Legn/2025 dated September 10, 2025, states that Para’s comments amounted to casting aspersions on the impartiality of the Speaker’s office and undermining the dignity of the Assembly as an institution.
The development follows a communication sent by Doda District Magistrate Harvinder Singh, IAS, on September 8, informing the Assembly Secretariat about the detention of Malik under PSA. In accordance with Rule 260 of the Rules of Procedure and Conduct of Business, the Secretariat had published a bulletin notifying members of the House about Malik’s detention.
However, Para later posted on social media platform X (formerly Twitter) “Shameful surrender. Assembly Secretariat endorsing PSA against an elected MLA is a direct assault on democracy. J&K CM @OmarAbdullah must act, don’t allow the institution of MLA, the last agency of the people, to be silenced. Today it’s Mehraj, tomorrow it could be you.”
According to the Assembly Secretariat, the statement wrongly suggested that the Assembly Secretariat had “endorsed” the PSA detention of Malik, whereas the bulletin was only issued in compliance with procedural rules. The Secretariat subsequently released a clarification, asserting that it had “no role in the arrest or detention of the Hon’ble Member.”
The notice stresses that impartiality is a fundamental attribute of the Speaker’s office and any public statements implying bias or improper conduct can be construed as breach of privilege or contempt of the House.
“The Hon’ble Speaker has taken serious note of the matter and observed that the privileges and freedom of speech granted to Members should not be misused to undermine the sanctity of the Institution,” the notice reads.
Para has been directed to explain his position within seven days, either in person or in writing, failing which breach of privilege and contempt proceedings will be initiated against him. (KDC)
