All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM) chief Asaduddin Owaisi has criticized former Jammu and Kashmir leaders for failing to repeal the Public Safety Act (PSA), 1978, which he says has caused widespread human rights violations over decades. According to Owaisi, the PSA has been misused by both elected Chief Ministers and unelected Governors, resulting in the detention of over 20,000 people without fair trials or proper appeals since its introduction.
Owaisi highlighted that former Chief Ministers, including Sheikh Abdullah, Farooq Abdullah, Omar Abdullah, Mehbooba Mufti, GM Shah, and Mufti Sayeed, could have repealed the law to prevent the suffering of countless individuals but did not take action. He pointed out that some detentions lasted for 7 to 12 years, with cases where detainees were later released on court orders when needed, emphasizing the inconsistency in applying the law.
The remarks come as current Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah reaffirmed the promise to remove the PSA once statehood is restored and law and order come under the elected government’s control. Abdullah insisted that security and law enforcement are crucial state subjects, and without them, the government cannot fully implement its decision to repeal the law. He also ruled out any future alliance with the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), citing the negative impact of the PDP-BJP coalition in 2015, which he said had harmed the region.
Owaisi’s criticism underscores the ongoing debate around statehood, governance, and human rights in Jammu and Kashmir, highlighting the challenges of balancing security legislation with civil liberties. The discussion reflects broader public sentiment about the need for political accountability and legislative reforms in the Union Territory.
The PSA, initially introduced to curb smuggling, has become a focal point in the region’s political discourse, raising questions about prolonged detentions, governance, and the role of successive governments in addressing human rights concerns.
