Jammu

Mehraj Malik on Tuesday said political space was shrinking and urged young people to join politics, asserting that meaningful change is only possible through democratic participation.

The Aam Aadmi Party legislator was released from Kathua jail after the Jammu and Kashmir High Court quashed his detention under the Public Safety Act.

Speaking to reporters in Jammu, Malik said his struggle for public welfare would continue and was driven by principles rather than politics. “I went to jail while fighting for the rights of the people. Our struggle will continue,” he said.

Calling for greater youth participation, he said he was currently alone in the fight and wanted more young people to enter politics. “Only politics can change the fate of the people and this country,” he said.

Malik said he had consistently raised public issues and would continue to speak for the people. He stressed that governance should be judged by performance rather than religion, adding that every faith teaches service to humanity.

He also called on people to move beyond politics based on religious identity and said a person should be judged by character and work, not faith.

The MLA alleged that legal cases had been used to distract and obstruct his reform efforts. “We did not enter politics to fight cases, but to bring improvement. However, getting entangled in such matters has become part of the system,” he said.

Apologising to supporters for difficulties during his imprisonment, Malik said struggle was inevitable for change and truth would eventually prevail in a democracy.

He further said unemployment remained the real challenge facing youth despite anti-drug campaigns, and questioned the lack of clear policy vision among those in power.

Referring to his eight-month jail term, Malik claimed little progress had been made in governance, education or institutions during that period. “You can imprison a person, but not his thoughts,” he said.

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He alleged that those speaking against the ruling establishment face increasing pressure. “It has become difficult to speak openly, but without political engagement, no real change is possible,” Malik added.