Srinagar, Sept 12: Reacting to the Show-Cause Notice issued by the Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Assembly, PDP MLA Waheed-ur-Rehman Para stated that while he holds nothing personal against the Speaker, the office should have defended an elected member facing detention.
“If the Speaker’s office won’t agitate, condemn, and defend an elected member, it sets a dangerous precedent,” Para told.
He said that the issue is not about an individual but about protecting the institution of the Assembly.
In his response, Para described Speaker Rahim Rather as a fatherly figure and said he had learned from the way he conducted the House and upheld procedural integrity. He acknowledged the Speaker’s efforts in accommodating various voices during Assembly sessions.
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However, Para argued that the Speaker’s responsibilities include not only managing proceedings but also protecting the rights and dignity of Members of the Legislative Assembly.
Referring to the detention of Doda MLA Mehraj Malik under the Public Safety Act, Para said silence from the Assembly on such matters weakens public trust in democratic institutions.
He further stated that his social media post, which became the subject of the notice, was not a personal comment but a public appeal to safeguard the integrity of the legislative body. “Instead of faulting my concern, the Speaker should have supported it,” he said.
The Legislative Assembly had earlier issued a Show-Cause Notice to Para over a social media post that allegedly misrepresented the Assembly Secretariat’s role in publishing information about Malik’s detention.
The Secretariat said that Para’s remarks amounted to a breach of privilege and contempt of the House. He has been asked to respond within seven days.(KNS)
