Democracy Under Lock? AAP’s Sanjay Singh, Others ‘Detained’ in Srinagar After Doda MLA Held Under PSA

New Delhi / Srinagar, September 11, 2025

The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) has once again clashed with authorities in Jammu and Kashmir. On Thursday, September 11, 2025, senior leader and Rajya Sabha MP Sanjay Singh, along with other AAP leaders, was detained in Srinagar. They were stopped from protesting against the arrest of Mehraj Malik, AAP’s lone MLA from Doda, who was booked earlier under the Public Safety Act (PSA).

The party has called this a direct attack on democracy. Leaders say that the government is afraid of opposition voices. They argue that elected representatives being locked inside guest houses proves that the “voice of the people is being suppressed.”

How it started

On Monday, September 8, Mehraj Malik was detained by authorities in Doda district.
The district magistrate said Malik’s activities were a threat to public order and could disturb peace.
The PSA allows preventive detention without trial for months. Malik was moved to custody under this controversial law.
His arrest sparked anger in Doda and other parts of Jammu & Kashmir. Supporters said he was being targeted for speaking up against local issues.

To protest Malik’s detention, Sanjay Singh and other AAP leaders decided to travel to Srinagar. The plan was to hold a peaceful demonstration and press conference. But what followed shocked many.

What happened in Srinagar

As soon as Singh and his team reached Srinagar, they were taken to a guest house.
Police and security forces surrounded the building. Leaders were not allowed to step out.
The guest house was practically turned into a detention centre. Singh described it as being “converted into a police camp.”
Former Jammu & Kashmir Chief Minister Farooq Abdullah was not even allowed to meet Singh inside. He was stopped by security personnel at the gate.

Singh released a video statement from inside the guest house. He said, “We came here to speak about our MLA’s illegal detention. But today we are the ones who are locked up. This shows the government wants to silence us.”

AAP’s strong reaction

The party has strongly criticised the action.

Sanjay Singh called it a “black day for democracy.”
Former Delhi minister Imran Hussain, who was also part of the detained group, said, “We followed all rules. We informed the administration about our protest. Yet we are locked up without reason.”
Party chief Arvind Kejriwal slammed the BJP government. He said the ruling party is using “hooliganism” to destroy AAP.

Kejriwal added, “When elected MLAs and MPs are treated like criminals for raising people’s voice, what does it show? It shows the government is scared.”

Voices of support

The detention of Sanjay Singh also drew reactions from other political leaders.

National Conference leader Omar Abdullah said the move was “absolutely wrong.” He added that such actions only weaken democracy.
Many local activists in Doda also protested. They warned that silencing Malik could lead to bigger unrest.
Civil society groups in Srinagar asked why peaceful political activity was being blocked when the government claims “normalcy” has returned to J&K.

Why Mehraj Malik matters

Mehraj Malik may be only one MLA, but his presence is important.

He is the first AAP MLA in Jammu & Kashmir, a region where the party has been trying to expand.
Malik built his image as a grassroots leader in Doda, often raising issues of roads, education, and unemployment.
His supporters say he has always spoken about local development and never about separatism or violence.

That is why his detention under PSA has shocked many. People ask: if someone like Malik can be arrested, what about ordinary citizens?

The law under question: PSA

The Public Safety Act (PSA) is one of the most debated laws in Jammu & Kashmir.

It allows detention without trial for up to two years.
Authorities say it is needed to maintain peace in a sensitive region.
But critics say it is often misused to silence dissenters and political opponents.
Human rights groups have called PSA a “lawless law” because it weakens the right to defend oneself in court.

By using PSA against an elected MLA, the government has now triggered a bigger political storm.

The bigger picture

This incident is not just about one protest. It raises larger questions:

Is political space shrinking in Jammu & Kashmir?
Can opposition parties function freely in the Union Territory?
Are democratic rights safe if peaceful protests are treated like crimes?

Opposition leaders across India say what happened in Srinagar is another sign of growing centralisation of power. They argue that ruling authorities want to control not just administration but also political voices.

Current situation

As of Thursday night:

Sanjay Singh, Imran Hussain, and other leaders remain inside the Srinagar guest house.
Security forces guard the building and block entry.
Mehraj Malik continues to be held under PSA. His family and party members are demanding his immediate release.
The administration has given no clear explanation on why AAP leaders were detained in Srinagar.

What next?

AAP is preparing to take the matter to court. Legal teams are studying both Malik’s detention under PSA and the confinement of Singh and others.
The party has also hinted at nationwide protests.
In Doda, locals plan to continue their demonstrations until Malik is freed.

Political experts believe this issue may not end soon. Instead, it may become a flashpoint in the run-up to future elections, both in Jammu & Kashmir and at the national level.

Conclusion

The events of September 11 have once again highlighted the fragile state of democracy in Jammu & Kashmir. The detention of Mehraj Malik under PSA, followed by the confinement of Sanjay Singh and other leaders, is not just about one party or one protest. It is about the right of elected representatives to speak freely.

For AAP, the incident is proof that the ruling government wants to crush opposition. For critics of the PSA, it is fresh evidence that the law is misused. And for the people of Jammu & Kashmir, it is yet another reminder that their political space remains tightly controlled.

As the debate grows, one thing is clear: the question of democracy in J&K is far from settled. Whether the courts, civil society, and ordinary citizens can push back against such actions will decide the future of politics in the region.