JAMMU, Apr 9: High drama erupted inside and outside the Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Assembly on Wednesday after AAP MLA Mehraj Malik was involved in a physical scuffle with PDP workers and BJP legislators, following his alleged objectionable remarks against the BJP, Hindu community, and late PDP patron Mufti Mohammad Sayeed.
The chaos began shortly after the Assembly was adjourned, amid uproar over the Waqf (Amendment) Act. Malik, while addressing reporters outside the legislature complex, lashed out at the security setup, accusing officials of allowing “outsiders” into the complex. He pointed at a group of PDP workers roaming around and referred to his previous verbal spat with them inside the House on Tuesday, triggered by his earlier controversial remarks against Mufti Mohammad Sayeed.
Malik allegedly repeated those remarks on Wednesday, sparking immediate outrage from PDP workers, who confronted him. Heated arguments quickly turned into a scuffle.
As the scene escalated, Malik turned his verbal attack toward a group of BJP MLAs protesting nearby on the Assembly stairs. The BJP legislators, angered by his alleged remarks targeting the party and the Hindu community, rushed toward him and joined PDP workers in physically confronting the AAP MLA.
Security marshals and Assembly staff intervened and managed to pull Malik away, escorting him into the Central Hall for his safety. However, the situation remained volatile.
Inside the Central Hall, Malik reportedly spotted PDP legislator Waheed-ur-Rehman Para and began hurling fresh invectives and provocative remarks related to Mufti Sayeed, accusing the PDP of “joining hands with BJP.” Para, however, did not respond.
Witnesses said Malik climbed atop a desk, continuing his tirade. NC legislator Nazir Ahmad Gurezi tried to restrain him, but to no avail. Malik then turned his fury towards BJP MLA Vikram Randhawa, reportedly making disparaging comments.
Randhawa allegedly lunged at Malik and physically assaulted him, leading to another round of scuffling. During the chaos, a glass table inside the Central Hall was broken.
Security marshals again intervened, separating the lawmakers and escorting Malik into the adjourned House. BJP legislators, including Randhawa, attempted to follow but were blocked by security staff.
Inside the House, Malik narrated the entire incident to shocked legislators from NC and Congress, claiming that he had been “beaten up by PDP and BJP members together.” He lashed out at the SSP Security, accusing him of not recognising him and failing to intervene.
“PDP and BJP have joined hands to spread Gundagardi in the Assembly,” Malik shouted, prompting attempts by several members to calm him down. Minister for Health and Medical Education Sakina Itoo also tried to pacify the AAP legislator.
Tensions flared once more when Hilal Akbar Lone offered to accompany Malik to “settle the matter”, but was prevented by other members from escalating the situation.
As media personnel inside the gallery began recording the sequence of events, LA security staff requested them to vacate both the media gallery and the Central Hall until the House reassembled.
After about 30 minutes, Malik re-emerged and told reporters, “First PDP initiated, and then BJP joined in to attack me. This is a planned gundagardi.”
The incident has shocked the political spectrum of Jammu and Kashmir, coming on a day already marred by legislative disruptions over the Waqf Act, and reflecting the deepening polarisation inside the UT’s political corridors. Malik maintained, “First PDP initiated, and later BJP joined them.”
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