New Delhi, April 5 – In a fiery speech in Parliament, incarcerated Awami Ittehad Party (AIP) President and MP Baramulla Er Rashid dismissed J&K Chief Minister Omar Abdullah’s claim of a “clear sky” in Kashmir, stating that dark clouds of uncertainty, injustice and political alienation still loom over the region. He stressed that only meaningful dialogue can dispel this darkness.
Addressing the House, Er Rashid made a direct appeal to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who is set to visit Kashmir for the inauguration of the Katra-Baramulla railway line. While welcoming it, Er Rashid emphasized that governance and the rights of Kashmiris must not be overlooked due to his incarceration.
“As Hon’ble Prime Minister Narendra Modi Ji is heading to Kashmir to inaugurate the Katra-Baramulla railway, I welcome this step. But as I remain in jail, I urge Prime Minister, for God’s sake, please take care of my people. My constituency covers 18 assembly segments and my people should not be deprived of their rights,” Er Rashid pleaded.
The AIP chief called upon the state administration, bureaucracy and political leadership from Kashmir to Delhi to ensure that the people of North Kashmir are not neglected in his absence.
Er Rashid directly refuted Chief Minister Omar Abdullah’s recent statement that the “sky is completely clear” in Jammu and Kashmir. Challenging this rosy portrayal, Er Rashid responded, “I would say the sky is filled with dark clouds. Please address this darkness too.”
He insisted that Kashmir’s concerns cannot be wished away with political rhetoric and called for genuine political engagement to address the deep-seated grievances.
Making an impassioned appeal, Er Rashid urged PM Modi to engage with the concerns of the people rather than being swayed by misleading narratives.
“Please listen to us, listen to the people of Kashmir as you go there. You must listen to us, especially to people of my parliamentary constituency. People shouldn’t feel that just because a public representative is in jail, their issues are ignored. Please respect the political, social, religious and human rights of my people,” he asserted.
