Engineer Rashid, leader of the Awami Itehad Party (AIP) and Member of Parliament (MP), vowed to fight Prime Minister Narendra Modi's narrative of "Naya Kashmir" following his release from Tihar Jail.
Rashid, who was arrested in 2019 by the National Investigation Agency (NIA) on charges of terror funding, was granted interim bail on Tuesday.
During his first address after being released, Rashid criticised Modi’s policies in Jammu and Kashmir, particularly the abrogation of Article 370 and 35A on August 5, 2019. He said that the people have rejected the narrative of "Naya Kashmir."
“I will not let down my people. I pledge to fight against Modi’s narrative of 'Naya Kashmir.” he said. “People have rejected his narrative, and people have rejected what he did on August 5, 2019. The vote for me was a referendum against Modi’s policies, especially the abrogation of Article 370 and 35A.”
When asked about accusations from National Conference (NC) leader Omar Abdullah and People’s Democratic Party (PDP) leader Mehbooba Mufti that his release was an attempt to support the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) as a proxy, Rashid flatly dismissed the claims.
"My fight is much bigger than what Omar Abdullah says. His fight is for the chair; mine is for the people," he said.
He criticised both Abdullah and Mufti for their failures in Kashmir, mentioning Abdullah’s political losses.
“The people of North Kashmir have already given their response when he (Omar) lost by more than 200,000 votes,’’ he said. “Mehbooba Mufti also lost. Do I need certificates from these people? My conscience and the time I spent in Tihar Jail are enough for me.”
Rashid became emotional while recalling his time in Tihar and the plight of many fellow Kashmiris he met during his incarceration.
"I cannot forget Altaf Fantoosh, who was my cellmate. When he left jail for the last time, it was his body that went out,’’ he said. “I cannot forget the dozens of Kashmiris in Tihar, who need medical care, people like Abdul Majeed Baba from Sopore, who is suffering due to the lack of surgery, or Fayaz Ahmed Lone and Arshid Tanki from Kupwara, who need medical attention," he said.
Rashid made it clear that his battle was for the people of Kashmir, saying, "I want to tell Omar and Mehbooba that my fight is for the people, and by talking about them, I do not wish to belittle my stature and sacrifice."
Rashid categorically denied any alignment with the BJP. “I am a victim of the BJP. How could you suggest I would support them?’’ he said in response to a statement made by Omar and Mehbooba that he would be their proxy.
He argued that any increase in voting percentage was a form of protest against Modi’s decision to abrogate Articles 370 and 35A, not support for the BJP. “People used their vote as an option. It was not in Modi's love but to show what Kashmiris want,” he said.
Rashid also addressed Omar Abdullah’s remarks calling victory as a win for Islamists. “I am proud to be an Islamist, but Islam does not teach radicalism. We are not radicals,” he stressed.
He also pointed out Abdullah’s inconsistency. “First, he says it’s a victory for Islamists, and then he says I’m in touch with the BJP. He needs to clarify which of his statements is correct,” he said.
Rashid called on the youth to focus on education and leave politics to the leaders. “My message to the youth is to focus on education and your careers. Leave politics to us. It is my job to represent your aspirations, and for that, if I have to go to jail for life, I will do so.”
He says they (BJP) talked about Pakistan-Occupied Kashmir (POK), adding, "We say, ask the people from both sides of the Line of Control what they want and how to resolve the Kashmir issue. If saying that is a crime, I am proud to commit that crime again and again."
Rashid’s release has set the stage for renewed political activity in Jammu and Kashmir, where he remains a vocal critic of both the BJP and local parties. Analysts opine that given the narrative he has built over the abrogation of Article 370 and his arrest, his party could emerge as an important player in the upcoming assembly.
