AAP MLA's remarks on Hindus spark protests in Jammu

A remark by AAP MLA Mehraj Malik has sparked protests in Jammu. He linked Hindus to liquor consumption, saying they are "addicted" to it. This comment was made while speaking to reporters outside the Jammu and Kashmir Assembly. Various groups, including the Dogra Front, Shiv Sena, and Bajrang Dal, staged demonstrations across the region. They demanded an apology, claiming Malik's words hurt the feelings of many Hindus. Ashok Gupta, president of the Dogra Front Shiv Sena, expressed that such statements show hatred against Hindus. Protests included marches by BJP workers in Kathua, who burnt an effigy of Malik and chanted slogans against him and AAP leader Arvind Kejriwal. Similar actions occurred in other areas, with different Hindu organizations demanding Malik's apology. During assembly discussions about grants, Malik’s comments led to confrontations with BJP members. The assembly speaker later removed his comments from the record. After facing backlash, Malik retracted his statement, clarifying that people of all backgrounds drink alcohol. He stated that he did not intend to offend anyone and apologized if he did. Mehraj Malik is the only AAP MLA in Jammu and Kashmir. He won his seat in Doda in the last elections, marking AAP's debut in the regional assembly. Malik has been involved in local politics for several years and attempted to run for a different seat in the recent general elections but did not succeed.