Waris Fayaz
Srinagar, Jan 30 : The Awami Ittehad Party (AIP) has urged the Government of India (GoI) to allow incarcerated MP Engineer Rashid to attend the upcoming Budget Session of Parliament, set to begin on January 31.
The party has announced a hunger strike in protest, with Er Rashid himself set to begin his fast inside Tihar Jail.
Addressing a press conference in Srinagar, party leaders, as per the news agency, said that while they have full faith in the judiciary, they criticized the government for preventing Er Rashid from taking his rightful place in Parliament.
“He was elected by the people of Baramulla, yet he is being denied the opportunity to represent them. His oath-taking itself is proof that he abides by the Constitution and is working for the welfare of the people,” senior party leader G. N. Shaheen said.
Shaheen asserted that it is within the GoI’s purview to allow Er Rashid to participate in parliamentary proceedings, adding that keeping him in jail despite his electoral victory is unjust.
“Since this has not happened over the past several months, Er Rashid has decided to launch a hunger strike in Tihar Jail to protest his ill-treatment and demand his rightful place in Parliament,” he added.
In solidarity, AIP leaders and supporters will also stage hunger strikes at various locations, including Pratap Park in Srinagar, Jammu, and Delhi.
“In the national capital, AIP’s Chief Spokesperson Inam and other leaders will hold a protest at Jantar Mantar,” Shaheen informed, adding that the party has sought administrative permission and is hopeful of approval.
Appealing to the President of India, the Prime Minister, and the Speaker of Parliament, AIP urged immediate intervention.
“Such tactics cannot continue indefinitely. The people have the right to be represented by their chosen leader,” an AIP leader stated.
The party also called for the release of other political prisoners, arguing that prolonged detentions only deepen political alienation.
Er Rashid, who won the Baramulla Lok Sabha seat, has been in Tihar Jail since 2019 after being arrested by the National Investigation Agency (NIA) in a terror-funding case under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA)
