Says Kashmir Still Shrouded in Darkness, Urges PM Modi to Embrace Dialogue
Diplomat Correspondent
New Delhi,(DD)In a forceful and impassioned speech in Parliament, jailed Awami Ittehad Party (AIP) President and MP from Baramulla, Engineer Rashid, rejected Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah’s assertion that the “sky is completely clear” over Kashmir. Instead, he painted a starkly different picture, stating that the region remains overshadowed by “dark clouds of uncertainty, injustice, and political alienation”, which only meaningful dialogue can dispel.
Engineer Rashid directly addressed Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who is scheduled to visit Kashmir for the inauguration of the Katra-Baramulla railway line. While welcoming the infrastructure development, Rashid used the opportunity to highlight the continued marginalisation of the people of North Kashmir.
“As the Honourable Prime Minister visits Kashmir, I wholeheartedly welcome this initiative. But, despite being imprisoned, I appeal to him: for God’s sake, please take care of my people. My parliamentary constituency spans 18 assembly segments, and its people must not be deprived of their rights,” he urged.
The AIP chief made a heartfelt plea to the administration, bureaucracy, and political leadership—from Srinagar to New Delhi—to ensure that the people of North Kashmir are not sidelined in his absence.
Responding sharply to Omar Abdullah’s recent statement describing a “clear sky” in Jammu and Kashmir, Rashid countered, “I would say the sky is filled with dark clouds. Please address this darkness too.”
He stressed that Kashmir’s longstanding grievances cannot be resolved through rhetorical optimism and called for sincere political engagement to address the core issues facing the region.
In conclusion, Engineer Rashid appealed to Prime Minister Modi to prioritise listening to the voices of the Kashmiri people during his visit, urging the government to uphold the political, social, religious, and human rights of those he represents.
“Please listen to us, especially the people of my constituency. They must not feel abandoned simply because their elected representative is behind bars,” he said(DD)