Barring Engineer Rashid from taking oath mockery of democracy: Tarigami 

Kulgam, June 27: Launching a tirade against the authorities for barring Engineer Rashid from taking oath as Lok Sabha member, CPI( M) leader Mohammad Yousuf Tarigami on Wednesday termed the decision as a mockery with democratic process.

“There is much talk about democracy, but in this region jailed Engineer Rashid was not allowed to take oath. It is the mockery of democratic process”, Tarigami told reporters in Behibag village of south Kashmir’s Kulgam district.

Rashid who is currently lodged in Tihar jail in connection with a terror funding case was elected as a member of  the 18th Lok Sabha from Baramulla parliamentary constituency. He, however, was not administered oath despite his name being called on June 24 during swearing-in ceremony.

Tarigami, however, hailed the electorate for breaking the BJP’s narrative of securing over 400 seats.

“… And today we have a coalition government with a strong opposition”, he said.

Tarigami  said that the government had to restore the constitutional, citizenship and land rights of the people of Jammu and Kashmir.

“Conducting mere assembly elections is enough”, he said.

Tarigami said that the UAPA-like laws had to be scrapped and the cases of those booked under such laws needed to be reviewed.

He  demanded that the curbs on the media and employees' associations should be lifted.

Replying to a question regarding the alleged irregularities in NEET, Tarigami said that all the policies adopted by the government were disheartening.

“Paper leak has now become a routine affair for this government”, he said.

Tarigami said that trumpets were being beaten about providing employment to the youth of Jammu and Kashmir.

“But the job scenario has gone downhill over the last five years”, he said.

Tarigami said that government’s claims about rising GDP and economic progress were in stark contrast to the ground reality.

“There is a surge in price rise and the people’s purchasing capacity has significantly decreased”, he said.

Tarigami said that due to the price rise the markets hit a rough patch.

He also said that people of Jammu and Ladakh were equally concerned.

“An impression was initially given that they were content with the decision of the abrogation of article 370, but they too are not happy”, he added.