Srinagar, 10 Sep : The Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Assembly Secretariat has issued a Show Cause Notice to Waheed-ur-Rehman Para, MLA from Pulwama constituency, for allegedly posting misleading and factually incorrect information on the social media platform regarding the detention of another legislator, Mehraj Din Malik, MLA from Doda-52.
The notice has been issued under the direction of the Speaker of the Legislative Assembly.
According to the notice, the Assembly Secretariat received an official communication on 08 September 2025 from Harvinder Singh, IAS, District Magistrate, Doda, informing the Secretariat about the booking and detention of Malik under the provisions of the Jammu and Kashmir Public Safety Act, 1978.
In accordance with Rule 260 of the Rules of Procedure and Conduct of Business in the Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Assembly, the Speaker directed that this information be published in the Assembly Bulletin for the information of the Members, as the House was not in session.
Subsequently, Para posted a message on platform X on the same day, 08 September 2025, wrote: “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.”
The Secretariat stated that through this post, Para implied that the Assembly Secretariat had “endorsed” the Public Safety Act action against an elected Member, which was described by him as an “assault on democracy.”
The Secretariat has clarified that this claim is factually incorrect and misleading. The issuance of the Bulletin was a procedural action taken under Rule 260, and the Assembly had no role in the arrest or detention of the Member concerned.
The Secretariat noted that such a public statement, made by a sitting Member, undermines the dignity and impartiality of the Speaker and the institution of the Assembly.
It was further observed that this post could constitute a breach of privilege and contempt of the House, as it casts aspersions on the neutrality of the Speaker’s office.
The Speaker, after considering the matter, has directed that Para be asked to show cause within seven (07) days of receipt of the notice, either in writing or in person, explaining why breach of privilege or contempt proceedings should not be initiated against him.
Failure to respond within the stipulated time may result in further proceedings under the Assembly Rules.(KNS).
