Demands release of Kashmiri Prisoners, condemns betrayal by regional leaders and Central Government Policies
Srinagar, Sep 11 (KB): The newly released MP from Baramulla, Sheikh Abdul Rashid, alias Er Rashid, vowed at the top of his lungs in Srinagar to fight tooth and nail against the so-called “Naya Kashmir” plan of Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
Addressing a fully-packed room of reporters, as per news agency—Kashmir Bulletin (KB), the interim bail from Tihar Jail granted to Rashid sought immediate release of all Kashmiri prisoners held within and outside the region. He accused the Centre of keeping a number of political activists, civilians and leaders behind the bars illegally.
He termed it a great feeling and shared: “After having gone through imprisonment for 5.5 years under the UAPA, I can very well understand the pain of the ones who were yet behind bars. I have faced the horrors of prison myself, and I would not wish it upon anybody,” he said.
Accused in a terror funding case of 2017, Rashid was lodged in Tihar Jail since 2019. “Kashmiris deserve justice, respect and not oppression. The actions of the government especially after August 5, 2019, are outright rejected by the public.
His press conference marked his return to active politics ahead of the Jammu and Kashmir Assembly elections, which are expected to start in three phases from September 18.
The AIP, notwithstanding not being a registered party, would contest elections under the leadership of Rashid, an no-holds-barred critic of the central government’s Kashmir policies. “The fight goes on,” said an emphatic Rashid.
The Naya Kashmir of Modi is nothing but a failed experiment, and its rejection by the people of Kashmir is absolute.” He reiterated his resolve for a struggle till restoration of autonomy to the region. “I’m here to unite, not divide my people. My struggle’s for the people, not for power.”
It was a frontal attack on the Central Government for its August 5, 2019, move to abrogate the special status accorded to Jammu and Kashmir. He came out attacking the BJP saying it betrayed Kashmir when it took away the autonomy of Kashmir without seeking a majority in its favor.
Rashid drew a line between his goals and those of mainstream Kashmiri leaders like Omar Abdullah. According to him, his battle is for people’s rights, not for chairs and posts.
“Omar Abdullah fights for the chair, while my fight is for the people. I suffered under the BJP and would fight against Modi’s ideology till my last breath,” Rashid declared. “I am not playing political games. I am here to bring justice and free my people from the oppressive policies of the central government.”
His political constituency was revived by his release, and in unison he repeated in the press conference: “I return to Kashmir to unite my people, not to divide them. The government wants to sow discord, but I will not permit that. We must stand together against these challenges.”
His arrival and the recent utterances have spawned debate over what the possible impact of renewed activism will be on forthcoming elections. That there is strong resistance to the BJP-especially over the articulated focus on issues thrown up by the abrogation/restoration of Article 370-may find resonance among those disenchanted with the present political dispensation in the Valley.
Rashid further spoke about the imprisonment of Kashmiris based on controversial laws like UAPA and the Public Safety Act, stating that they are kept without trial, and immediate release must be given.
It is now high time that this injustice gets over. We cannot have peace in Kashmir till all those innocents get released from these jails. I appeal to the central government to release all the political prisoners. Kashmiris have borne enough,” he said.
Concluding his news conference, Rashid was visibly overcome by the emotion of what he had said and what responsibility now lay before him as a leader pledged to bring dignity and autonomy back into Jammu and Kashmir.
The challenge he has thrown at Prime Minister Modi and the BJP comes at a very crucial juncture in the history of the region. It goes without saying that Rashid will continue his fight with more resolution and strength.
While the election to the assembly is drawing near, one thing is sure: the emergence of Engineer Rashid onto the political theatre in Kashmir will make a dent in the electoral scenario.
This message and activism are bound to have an effect on the political dynamics in J&K, as this restive region goes through a very important election phase.
Engineer Rashid did not hold himself back in criticizing two mainstream Kashmiri political leaders, Mehbooba Mufti and Omar Abdullah, accusing them of betraying the people of Jammu and Kashmir.
He attacked Mehbooba Mufti for “betraying” the people for joining hands with the BJP-a “betrayal” bigger than even that of Sheikh Abdullah.
Mehbooba Mufti and her father Mufti Mohammad Sayeed committed an act of selling out Kashmir by bringing BJP into the throne of this region. Their alliance caused an irreversible damage; she owes an apology to the people for joining hands with the very party that has torn apart the social fabric of Jammu and Kashmir,” Rashid said.
His criticism epitomized the sense of betrayal among many Kashmiris who viewed the alliance of the People’s Democratic Party with the BJP as an ill-fated move that institutionalized and accelerated the erosion of autonomy in Kashmir.
He further criticized Omar Abdullah for striving only for political power at the cost of the people of Jammu and Kashmir.
The struggle of Omar Abdullah is for the chair, not for the rights of the people. He has maintained silence on vital issues when his voice could make a difference.
His party, the National Conference, has totally failed to safeguard the interests of the people, and instead, they continue playing safe for political gains.
My fight is not for a position or power, it’s for justice and dignity for my people, something that both Mehbooba and Omar have failed to deliver,” Rashid added.
His scathing attack on the two leading figures of the Valley further entrenched his position as leader of the people who doesn’t shy away from taking on the political establishment in Kashmir.— (KB)
