Doda, J&K – Sep. 9, 2025 – In a dramatic escalation of political friction in Jammu and Kashmir, supporters of Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) MLA Mehraj Malik staged massive protests in Doda district today, demanding the immediate revocation of his detention under the controversial Public Safety Act (PSA). The unrest, which turned violent with stone-pelting and tear gas deployment by security forces, has raised fears of a wider uprising, as similar demonstrations ripple through Azad Kashmir, Gilgit-Baltistan, and Ladakh. Analysts warn that these interconnected protests could culminate in a pivotal "final confrontation" between disenfranchised locals and the controlling powers of both India and Pakistan.
Malik, the AAP's sole legislator in the region and a vocal advocate for local rights, was arrested late Monday night from a government guest house in Doda. The 38-year-old, who secured the Doda assembly seat by over 4,500 votes in the 2024 elections, became the first sitting MLA in Jammu and Kashmir to be held under the PSA—a draconian law allowing detention without trial for up to two years on grounds of "public safety." Authorities cited 18 pending FIRs against him, including allegations of disturbing public order. The trigger for his latest detention was a heated Facebook Live session on Sunday, where Malik unleashed unparliamentary language against the local Deputy Commissioner, demanding urgent release of pending dues for a community project. "This is not just an arrest; it's an assault on the voice of the people," said a senior AAP leader, who spoke on condition of anonymity.
By Tuesday morning, Doda's streets were ablaze with outrage. Hundreds of protesters, including Malik's supporters, local traders, and youth, converged near the district headquarters, chanting slogans like "Release Mehraj Malik" and "End PSA Tyranny." The "Doda Chalo" rally, organized spontaneously via social media, swelled into thousands as word spread. Videos circulating on X (formerly Twitter) showed crowds breaking barricades in areas like Tathri, with reports of a local police officer sustaining serious injuries. Security forces responded with tear gas shells and lathi charges, leading to injuries on both sides. Internet services were suspended in several pockets of Doda to curb mobilization, exacerbating accusations of state overreach.
AAP leaders, including national spokesperson Sanjay Singh, condemned the arrest as "politically motivated" and vowed to escalate the fight. Singh is scheduled to visit Jammu and Kashmir tomorrow to lead further demonstrations. "Mehraj Malik was peacefully demanding better healthcare and infrastructure for his constituents. This PSA clampdown is a BJP ploy to silence opposition in the valley," Singh posted on X. Earlier protests on Monday had ironically demanded action against Malik for his remarks, highlighting the polarized sentiments in the region.
The Doda unrest is not isolated. Across the Line of Control (LoC) in Pakistan-administered Kashmir, simmering discontent in Azad Kashmir and Gilgit-Baltistan has intensified, fueled by economic woes, resource exploitation, and unfulfilled promises of autonomy. In Muzaffarabad, Azad Kashmir's administrative hub, protests erupted last week against skyrocketing wheat prices and power outages, with demonstrators waving banners reading "End Pakistani Occupation" and calling for greater integration with India—a taboo sentiment in Islamabad. Similarly, in Gilgit-Baltistan, where locals have long chafed under Islamabad's direct rule without full provincial status, rallies in Gilgit city demanded the repeal of the 1974 Gilgit-Baltistan Order, which they view as colonial. PTI supporters, emboldened by Imran Khan's calls for nationwide resistance, have linked these to broader anti-establishment fervor, with August protests drawing thousands despite crackdowns.
On the Indian side, Ladakh's Buddhist-majority population has echoed these grievances through sustained agitations for statehood and environmental protections. Since 2020, Leh and Kargil have seen intermittent shutdowns against the erosion of Article 370's protections, with recent marches in September highlighting water scarcity and land disputes. "We are all Kashmiris—divided by lines but united in suffering," said a Ladakhi activist during a rally last week. Cross-border solidarity has grown, with social media amplifying shared narratives of neglect by Delhi and Islamabad.
Public frustration on both sides of the LoC is boiling over, as ordinary citizens express disillusionment with the protracted India-Pakistan standoff. "Neither Delhi nor Islamabad cares about us. They use Kashmir as a chessboard while we pay the price," a Doda shopkeeper told reporters amid today's chaos. Economists note that inflation, unemployment, and climate impacts have amplified these voices, with protests growing "day by day" since early 2025.
Observers fear this convergence of unrest could lead to a "final confrontation"—a potential flashpoint where localized demands coalesce into a regional movement challenging the status quo. "The PSA in Doda is the spark; the tinder is ready across Azad Kashmir, Gilgit-Baltistan, and Ladakh," said political analyst Ayesha Khan. With the LoC tense and both nations' elections looming, calls for dialogue have intensified, but so has the rhetoric of resistance. As night falls in Doda, the echoes of chants linger, a stark reminder that the Kashmir conflict's embers may be reigniting into a blaze.
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