Jailed J&K MP Engineer Rashid gets parole to attend Parliament
In a significant development, the Delhi High Court has granted a two-day custody parole to Engineer Rashid, the Baramulla MP from Jammu and Kashmir, to attend the ongoing budget session of Parliament. This comes as a major relief for Rashid, who has been facing trial in a terror funding case and has been lodged in Tihar Jail since his arrest in 2017.
According to reports, the court allowed Rashid’s plea for parole on the condition that he would be escorted by police and would not use his phone, internet, or speak to the media or anyone else. The court also imposed several conditions on Rashid, including that he would not leave Delhi and would return to the jail immediately after the two-day parole period.
Rashid, a member of the All Party Hurriyat Conference (APHIC), has been a vocal critic of the Indian government’s policies in Kashmir and has been accused of raising anti-India slogans in the Lok Sabha in 2016. He was arrested in 2017 under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA) and has been facing trial in a terror funding case ever since.
The development comes as a major setback for Rashid’s lawyers, who have been fighting for his release on bail. Rashid’s counsel had argued that his client was not a flight risk and that he was willing to abide by all conditions imposed by the court. However, the court was not convinced and granted the two-day parole instead.
The Delhi High Court’s decision has sparked a debate on social media, with some individuals praising the court for granting Rashid parole, while others have criticized the move, terming it as a “concession” to Rashid’s anti-India activities.
Rashid’s parole has also raised questions about the Indian government’s stance on Kashmir and its treatment of political prisoners. Critics argue that Rashid’s arrest and subsequent trial are a result of the government’s efforts to silence dissenting voices in the region.
The Indian government, however, has maintained that Rashid’s arrest was necessary to prevent him from spreading anti-India propaganda and to maintain public order. The government has also argued that Rashid’s activities were funded by Pakistan and that he was a key player in the separatist movement in Kashmir.
Despite the controversy surrounding his arrest and trial, Rashid has remained a popular figure in Kashmir, with many viewing him as a champion of the region’s rights. His decision to attend the budget session of Parliament has been seen as a major victory for him and his supporters.
The development comes at a time when the Indian government is facing intense criticism for its handling of the Kashmir issue. The government’s decision to scrap the special status of Jammu and Kashmir under Article 370 of the Constitution in August 2019 has led to widespread protests and unrest in the region.
The Kashmir issue has also been a major point of contention between India and Pakistan, with both countries accusing each other of human rights abuses and violations of international law. The region has been under a strict curfew since August 2019, with thousands of people arrested and many more displaced.
In the backdrop of the ongoing tensions, Rashid’s parole has been seen as a significant development, with many hoping that it would lead to a thaw in the relations between India and Pakistan. However, it remains to be seen whether Rashid’s parole would have any impact on the Kashmir issue or the relations between the two countries.
In conclusion, the Delhi High Court’s decision to grant Engineer Rashid a two-day parole to attend the budget session of Parliament is a significant development in the ongoing saga of the Kashmir issue. While some have criticized the move, terming it as a concession to Rashid’s anti-India activities, others have praised the court’s decision, arguing that it is a necessary step to maintain public order and prevent the spread of anti-India propaganda.
Regardless of the controversy surrounding Rashid’s arrest and trial, his parole has raised important questions about the Indian government’s stance on Kashmir and its treatment of political prisoners. As the Kashmir issue continues to simmer, Rashid’s parole is a significant development that is likely to have far-reaching consequences for the region and its people.
