Srinagar, September 13, 2025 – Waheed ur Rehman Para, President of the Youth Wing of the Jammu and Kashmir Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and MLA from Pulwama, has responded to the show-cause notice issued to him by the Jammu and Kashmir Assembly Speaker, Abdul Rahim Rather. Para clarified that while he holds the Speaker in high personal regard, his concerns are institutional in nature.
“I have expressed my opinion with utmost respect. I have no personal opposition to the Speaker — in fact, I regard him as a father figure. But I believe the Speaker’s office should have stood in defense of an elected member,” Para stated.
He further said, “This is not about an individual, but about the dignity and supremacy of the legislative institution itself. If the Speaker’s office neither defends nor condemns the detention of an elected representative under a law like the Public Safety Act (PSA), it sets a dangerous precedent.”
The controversy stems from Para’s recent post on X (formerly Twitter), where he criticized the detention of Doda MLA Mehraj Malik under the PSA. In his post, Para described the development as a “shameful surrender” and termed the legislative secretariat’s perceived support of the PSA as “a direct assault on democracy.”
“Today it’s Mehraj, tomorrow it could be any one of us. The institution of the legislature, the people’s last forum, must not remain silent,” Para had written, urging former Chief Minister Omar Abdullah to take action.
Taking strong exception to Para’s remarks, the Speaker issued a show-cause notice. If the explanation is found unsatisfactory, Para may face temporary suspension from the ongoing Assembly session.
In response to the notice, Para reiterated his stance, stating, “I’ve only voiced my concerns. As an elected representative, it is my duty to stand up for democratic principles.”
Para concluded by emphasizing that respect for the Assembly and its office-bearers must be accompanied by a commitment to protecting democratic values, particularly the rights and responsibilities of elected legislators.
