AIP denies assault on Er Rashid, says 'close associate' broke windshield of his car out of 'pure love'

Srinagar, Sept 30: The Awami Ittehad Party (AIP) Monday denied claims of assault on the party chief.

The video, which garnered thousands of views in few hours on Sunday, showed a man climbing the front of the vehicle carrying Er Rashid and breaking the windshield by kicking it.

'The assault on Er Rashid' became a trending topic in Kashmir, following which Rashid's party issued a ''clarification statement.''

Terming the rumours completely false and misleading, the AIP in a statement said that the man Noor Ul Shahbaz, who is seen breaking the windshield is a 'close associate of the AIP chief,' and that "his actions were motivated purely by love and dedication to Er Rashid."

The AIP said that Shahbaz was eager for Rashid to pass through his area and simultaneously, another associate requested that AIP chief take a different route. "In the heat of the moment, out of sheer passion and love for Rashid, Shahbaz broke the windshield of his own family car, in which Rashid and Shahbaz were travelling," the AIP said.

Later, they continued their journey to Shahbaz's area even as he accompanied them, "demonstrating that there was no conflict or hostility between them," it said.

"He also addressed the media afterward to clear up any rumours and confirm that the incident was in no way an attack or an assault. His actions were motivated purely by love and dedication to Er Rashid," it said.

While refuting the claims of assault, the AIP said that "unlike other parties that pay people to attend their rallies, people come to our rallies out of genuine love and admiration for Er Rashid."

Instead of rumours, the AIP said, "everyone should focus on real issues of the people of J-K."