Row erupts as AAP critic Malvinder Singh Mali arrested in Punjab

JALANDHAR: The arrest of political analyst Malvinder Singh Mali on Monday night has triggered widespread criticism from Congress, Shiromani Akali Dal leaders and its rebel group, and Punjabi activists and netizens. Several of those who had disagreements with Mali also came out in his support, calling the arrest suppression of freedom of expression as Mali had been critical of the govt and a prominent voice of dissent in the state.Mali, who briefly served as an adviser to Navjot Singh Sidhu when he was Punjab Congress president in 2021, had stirred a controversy with his criticism of former chief minister Captain Amarinder Singh and the Congress’ politics during the 1980s and 1990s. Social media platforms were flooded with reactions, especially from Punjabi activists and diaspora, criticising the arrest. A few members of Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) defended govt’s actions, while Congress MP Dr Dharamvira Gandhi and legislator Pargat Singh were among the first to condemn the move. Senior SAD leader Bikram Singh Majithia also criticised the arrest, accusing CM Bhagwant Mann of following authoritarian policies.Mali has been frequently appearing on different Youtube channels and influencing the political narrative in the state.On Tuesday, Pargat Singh posted a video, accusing Pun- jab govt of practicing a “double dictatorship”. Congress MLA Sukhpal Singh Khaira added the arrest was based on a frivolous complaint by AAP’s Amit Jain. Former SGPC president Bibi Jagir Kaur and Punjab Congress president Amrinder Singh Raja Warring, despite facing criticism from Mali in the past, joined the chorus. Warring questioned whether this was the “new normal”.A press conference held by intellectuals and journalists led by Pyara Lal Garg denounced the action, accusing AAP govt of attempting to stifle dissent. They highlighted how Punjab govt targetted YouTubers and social media critics increasingly, with many receiving threats and having their accounts seized.Sudhar Lehar, a rebel group of SAD, too condemned Mali’s arrest. The condemnation also came as Mali was supposed to be among key speakers at the rebel group’s seminar at NZCC, Patiala, on Tuesday to mark seminar the 100th birth anniversary of Gurcharan Singh Tohra. They also passed a resolution condemning the action. Mali had, in the past, worked as press secretary to the Akali stalwart. SKM also condemned the arrest in Patiala, saying it was over Mali’s criticism of the govt. It demanded his release from prison.Former Sangrur MP and SAD (Amritsar) president imranjit Singh Mann too criticised “construed intrusion of police into a senior citizen’s personal space at an unearthly hour”. “These are signs of a very nervous and failing govt adverse to scrutiny.”Remanded in judicial custodyOn Tuesday afternoon, Mali was remanded in judicial custody for 14 days and sent to Patiala central jail, after he was produced before the Mohali district court. He was arrested from his brother’s house in Patiala around 9pm on Monday. Mali was brought to central jail at 2.35pm. Jail authorities initially planned to send my brother to Mansa jail, but later decided to keep him in Patiala, said his brother Ranjit Singh.Police reached hour after FIR: BrotherBy Tuesday, a video of Mali and his family arguing with the police team which arrested him also went viral on social media. “It is a politically motivated and false case against my brother. He had been a critic of the govt. The complainant is close to govt and is also a member of cow sewa commission in Mohali and has lodged acomplaint on govt directions. There is no such content my brother Mali has shared during interview that may hurt sentiments of any community. Police were in such a rush to arrest Mali that they reached my house in Patiala from Mohali within an hour after registering the FIR,” said Mali’s younger brother Ranjit Singh. He added, “We are four brothers, including Navdeep, who is younger to me. Our native village is Sakraudi in Bhawanigarh, Sangrur. In 2004, I came to Patiala and Malwinder left for Mohali.”