SRINAGAR: Doda MLA Mehraj Malik was marshalled out of the Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Assembly on Wednesday after he questioned the need for a discussion on regulating social media, arguing that there was no existing law preventing people from using such platforms.
Malik raised the issue during a debate on the media and social media, saying the House was spending time on a matter that could not be addressed without an appropriate legal framework.
He said no existing legislation could stop people from using social media and questioned the need to use the Assembly’s business hours for a discussion without a legal basis for regulation.
His remarks led to an exchange with Speaker Abdul Rahim Rather, who accused the MLA of creating “unnecessary scenes” in the House.
The Speaker subsequently directed that Malik be marshalled out of the Assembly.
The incident occurred during a wider discussion on regulation of social media and the role of the media. During the debate, Education and Health Minister Sakina Itoo said the Jammu and Kashmir Government was working on a new Media Policy to regulate social media platforms.
