Engineer Rashid walks free, vows to fight PM Modi’s ‘Naya Kashmir’ narrative

New Delhi, Sep 11: Member of Parliament Engineer Rashid walked out of Tihar Jail on Wednesday on interim bail till October 2 for campaigning in the Jammu and Kashmir assembly polls and vowed to fight Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s ‘Naya Kashmir’ narrative.

Talking to reporters outside the jail, he also attacked National Conference (NC) Vice President Omar Abdullah and People’s Democratic Party (PDP) President Mehbooba Mufti for “destroying” Kashmir and said he would continue to fight for the people of the region.

Targeting Omar Abdullah, whom Rashid defeated in the 2024 Lok Sabha polls, the Member of Parliament said he was “dying in Tihar for five-and-a-half years” while the NC leader was “hiding in London”.

As Rashid, popularly known as Engineer Rashid, stepped out of the prison, he was welcomed by his sons and supporters.

“He was released from the jail at 4:15 pm,” a senior prison official said.

He has been in jail since 2019 following his arrest by the National Investigation Agency (NIA) under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act in the 2017 terror funding case.

Rashid’s outfit Awami Ittehad Party (AIP) is contesting the Jammu and Kashmir assembly elections to be held in three phases – September 18, September 25, and October 1.

The results will be declared on October 8.

“I feel stronger coming out of jail after five-and-a-half years. I am proud of my people. I pledge that I will not let down my people... I am committed to fighting for them. I will unite the people and not divide them,” he told reporters outside Tihar Jail.

Rashid said he wants to bring everlasting peace to Kashmir and prove that Kashmiris are not stone pelters.

“But they will not compromise with their political rights,” he said.

Slamming PM Modi, Rashid said, “I pledge to fight against Modi’s narrative of ‘Naya Kashmir’ which has miserably failed in Jammu and Kashmir. People have rejected his narrative.”

On Tuesday, after a court here granted interim bail to Rashid, NC leader Omar Abdullah said the Baramulla had been given bail to fetch votes from the people of Kashmir and not to serve them.

Hitting back, the AIP leader said, “My fight is much bigger than what Omar Abdullah says. I was dying in Tihar Jail for five-and-a-half years and he was hiding in London. His fight is for the chair, mine is for the people of Kashmir.”

About his party contesting the Jammu and Kashmir Assembly polls, Rashid said they had nothing to do with the opposition INDIA bloc or the ruling NDA.

“I am fighting alone,” he said.

Rashid also attacked PDP President Mehbooba Mufti, saying “The damage caused by madam and her father to Kashmir... I would like to say that the biggest traitors of Kashmir are Farooq Abdulah and Omar Abdullah... and Mehbooba Mufti is carrying forward their legacy. They have destroyed Kashmir.”

On Wednesday, Additional Sessions Judge Chander Jit Singh ordered Rashid’s release on interim bail on a personal bond of Rs 2 lakh and a surety of the like amount.

He also imposed certain conditions on him, including that he would not speak to the media about the case

‘AIP will contest 35-40 seats’

Rashid launched a scathing attack on both the BJP and the INDIA bloc and said the ruling party indulges in confrontation while the opposition grouping “stabs in the back”.

Donning a black band on his left arm to protest against the abrogation of Article 370 in 2019, Rashid, who came out of Tihar jail after being given interim bail by a special court, expressed his discontent with the current political landscape.

He said that his AIP intends to contest between 35 and 40 seats in the upcoming J&K Assembly polls without forming coalitions with any political party, saying, “I will only align with my inner self.”

He condemned both the BJP's nationalism and the INDIA bloc’s secularism as disingenuous constructs used to tarnish the genuine ideals of both concepts.

“I have a message to the BJP that we have no fight with you but do not sacrifice Kashmiris for your political agenda. I also have a question for the INDIA bloc they are not clear on their stance. Modi Ji hits upfront while INDIA (bloc) hits from behind. They weakened Article 370, Modi buried its body,” he said at a news conference.

He challenged the BJP's claims of nationwide support for the abrogation of Article 370, pointing to the results of recent Lok Sabha elections to highlight a disconnect.

“They sought at least 370 seats to validate their actions in Jammu and Kashmir, but the results speak for themselves,” he said.

On his black band protest, Rashid said, “When I went in on August 2, I had a state, Article 370, and Article 35A. Now, upon my release (from jail), I find there is neither a state nor Article 370 or 35A, only a chargesheet.”

The Baramulla MP dismissed accusations from the People's Democratic Party (PDP) that he serves as a proxy for the BJP, asserting that he had endured five-and-a-half years of imprisonment while PDP leaders enjoyed their freedom.

"They should be ashamed for such questions," he said.

Rashid criticised the PDP for allying with the BJP after the 2014 assembly polls, stating, "They became ministers and formed a government. Who do they think they are? The people know the truth and have rendered their verdict."

Identifying himself as a proud Islamist, Rashid distanced himself from radicalism, asserting, "No Islamist can be radical. I love the people of India and believe in 'Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam.'"

The leader of the AIP, which is yet to get recognition from the Election Commission of India, lamented being excluded from discussions between the government and political parties, noting that even groups like the Aam Aadmi Party and Shiv Sena had been consulted.

He pointed out that while many political leaders had their Public Safety Act (PSA) revoked, he was subjected to prolonged imprisonment after being summoned over the phone.

Rashid extended solidarity with Kashmiri Pandits, acknowledging their struggles in returning to their homeland.

He said, "I feel their pain. Innocent lives lost, regardless of religion or nationality, is a tragedy. One lakh Kashmiris have also died, and their stories often go unheard.".