Doda, May 4 — Thousands of people assembled at Doda Stadium on Sunday for a rally addressed by Aam Aadmi Party MLA Mehraj Malik, defying restrictions on public gatherings imposed by the district administration.
Officials said the event violated orders issued under Section 163 of the BNSS, which barred unauthorised assemblies citing concerns over public order. Doda Deputy Commissioner Krishan Lal said the curbs were in place to prevent any untoward incident. “The restrictions were necessary, especially as CRPF deployment in the area was limited,” he said, adding that a cricket match at the stadium had to be halted after supporters entered the ground.
Malik, who returned to his hometown days after his release from Kathua jail, received a large استقبال along the route from Batote to Doda, with crowds greeting him and halting his convoy at multiple points. His detention under the Public Safety Act had recently been quashed by the High Court.
Addressing the gathering, Malik criticised sections of the administration over alleged corruption and accused authorities of “revenge politics.”
“Those who jailed me thought they would finish my credibility. They fail to understand that if thousands come to listen, there must be some change on the ground,” he said.
He described the rally as a sign of political shift. “This is not just a gathering, it is a movement,” Malik said, calling for corruption-free governance, improved infrastructure, better-equipped schools and greater accountability.
The MLA also spoke against communal divisions in politics. “A person in politics should not become a merchant of religion,” he said, stressing that the country’s strength lies in its diversity.
Reaffirming his commitment to constitutional values, Malik said public support during his incarceration had strengthened his resolve. “We want peace and progress. Our aim is to move forward, not to fight,” he said.
Authorities had earlier imposed a two-month ban on unauthorised assemblies in parts of Doda, citing security concerns.