Jailed MP Engineer Rashid To Go On Hunger Strike From Jan 31 Over Denial To Attend Budget Session

In a letter to Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla, Rashid cited continued denial of his right to participate in parliamentary sessions as the reason behind his decision to go on a hunger strike.

Jailed MP from Baramulla Engineer Rashid announces hunger strike from January 31.

Source : PTI

Jailed Member of Parliament from Jammu and Kashmir's Baramulla, Abdul Rashid Sheikh alias Engineer Rashid, announced his decision to start a hunger strike from January 31 after he was denied permission to attend the Budget Session of the Parliament. 

In a letter to Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla, Rashid cited continued denial of his right to participate in parliamentary sessions as the reason behind his decision to go on a hunger strike, and highlighted the disregard for the representation of eighteen assembly segments and four districts of Kashmir.

He emphasised that he has not been allowed to participate, despite repeated communications from the Lok Sabha Secretariat and official invitations. "Isn't it strange and like mocking democracy to invite me to attend the house but actually not allowing me to attend it?” he asked.

Rashid further drew parallels to Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s past comments on being denied a US visa, and said, "Why should he and his government not be reminded of his words when it comes to the worst treatment I am getting as an elected representative?"

The development comes after Rashid moved the Delhi High Court on Wednesday seeking an interim bail in a terror-funding case to attend the upcoming budget session. He requested that he be given custody parole during January 31 to April 4, when the Budget session will be held.

Following this, the Delhi HC on Thursday, sought the NIA's stand on Rashid's plea for an interim bail. While his main petition urges the court to either direct the expeditious disposal of his bail plea or decide on the matter itself, his alternative plea is about a custody parole to attend the Budget session.

In the letter, Rashid also underscored the "selective and unjust" application of laws, as he cited differential treatment of political leaders who were apprehended in 2019 during the abrogation of Article 370. Calling the situation "a draconian route of UAPA to silence my voice", Rashid said that while other prominent leaders were detained in guest houses and released without any charges, he continues to remain in Tihar Jail.

"The people’s court cleared me of all charges on June 4, 2024, by electing me to Parliament. Yet, I find my space choked, my roads blocked, and myself suffocated," he said.

AIP Announces Simultaneous Hunger Strikes In Solidarity With Rashid

In solidarity with Rashid, the Awami Ittihad Party (AIP) has also announced simultaneous hunger strikes in Srinagar, Jammu, as well as Delhi. AIP members asserted that these protests will be held to draw national attention to the "continued injustice" faced by their leader and also to highlight the democratic rights of the people of Baramulla.

AIP Chief Spokesperson Inam Un Nabi criticised the Rashid's incarceration, dubbing it as an affront to democratic principles. "The denial of parliamentary access to an elected representative is a grave injustice not just to Er Rashid but to the entire population of Baramulla. The government must respect the mandate of the people and ensure Rashid Sahab’s participation in the upcoming budget session,
he said.

He further appealed to the political fraternity and civil society to end their "criminal silence" over the Baramulla MP's prolonged detention, and demand that he be freed. "Silence on such matters emboldens injustice. We urge all responsible voices to demand the restoration of Er Rashid’s rights and dignity as an MP," he added.

Rashid has called upon the Chief Justice of India and the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) to uphold democratic values and protect the rights of elected representatives. The copies of his letter have been sent to the NHRC, Rashid's legal counsels Advocates Vikhyat Oberoi and Javeed Hubbi, and the CJI.

Engineer Rashid was elected from the Baramulla constituency after winning the 2024 Lok Sabha elections. He has been lodged in Tihar Jail since 2019 after he was arrested by the NIA under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act in the 2017 terror-funding case.