Emotional scenes mark AAP MLA Mehraj Malik’s release from Kathua jail

A rousing and emotional welcome awaited AAP MLA Mehraj Malik as he walked out of Kathua jail on Tuesday, hours after the J&K and Ladakh High Court quashed his detention under the Public Safety Act (PSA).

Hundreds of supporters, many of them from the Doda district, had started assembling outside the prison since early hours of the morning. The air reverberated with slogans in his favour as Malik emerged from the jail after remaining behind the bars for about eight months.

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Celebrations continued along the route, where supporters lined the highway at multiple places greeting his cavalcade with cheers and enthusiasm.
Talking to media persons, Malik rued the entanglement of politics with the slapping of legal cases, but asserted that no change is possible without political engagement. He vowed to continue his struggle for public welfare unrelentingly.

He emphasised the need to rise above religious divisions and focus on humanity, asserting that his political struggle is aimed at reform and public welfare in Jammu and Kashmir.
Referring to his imprisonment, the MLA said he had gone to jail while fighting for the rights of the people. “I went to jail for this struggle. It was for the people, and it will continue,” he added.

Malik alleged that cases were filed against him to divert attention and hamper his reform efforts. “We did not enter politics to fight legal cases, but to bring improvement. However, being entangled in such cases has become part of the system,” he said.
The MLA also urged people to remain patient and assured that he would soon resume public outreach after consulting his team. “There is no need for haste; we will plan properly and engage with people across the region,” he said.

Malik also called on the “educated and capable” sections of society to step out and contribute to public life. “When a common man tries to enter politics and work for the people, he is often sidelined or labelled. This mindset needs to change,” he said.
Referring to his eight-month jail term, Malik claimed that no significant improvements had taken place in governance, education, or public institutions during that period. “You can imprison a person, but not his thoughts. This is a fight for humanity and justice,” he asserted.

He further alleged that political space is shrinking, claiming that those raising their voice against the ruling establishment face difficulties. “It has become difficult to speak openly, but without political engagement, no real change is possible”, he added.