AIP urges Parliamentarians to support release of Er Rashid

Srinagar, Nov 23: The Awami Ittehad Party (AIP) on Saturday urged Members of Parliament (MPs) to support their demand for the immediate release of their party chief, Er Rashid who is also an MP from the Baramulla constituency.

AIP leaders appealed here that he be allowed to attend the upcoming parliamentary session starting November 25.

During a press conference here, AIP leaders, including Advocate Shaheen, appealed to parliamentarians across political parties to raise their voices for Er Rashid’s release. They pointed out that he has been in jail for six years on charges that have not been proven.

“We have already reached out to several MPs from various parties to gain their support,” Advocate Shaheen said. He also said that the party has hired experienced lawyers in Delhi and Srinagar to work on Er Rashid’s case, “This is not just about Er Rashid; this situation could happen to any leader in the future.”

The party appealed to MPs, stating that Er Rashid has been unfairly detained since August 5, 2019, the day Article 370 was abrogated.

Despite being in custody, they said, he won the Baramulla parliamentary seat with a strong mandate. However, he has not been allowed to attend a single session of the Lok Sabha since then.

The appeal said that Baramulla, which Er Rashid represents, is a large constituency with 18 assembly segments and nearly 40% of Jammu and Kashmir’s population.

The leaders said that his prolonged detention denies the people of Baramulla their rightful representation in Parliament.

The AIP leaders urged MPs from all parties, including the National Conference and Congress, to set aside political differences and support democratic principles by demanding Er Rashid’s release. They said that silencing an elected representative undermines democracy and sets a dangerous precedent.