The Kashmir Pulse

SRINAGAR — Sugra Barkati, daughter of jailed Sarjan Ahmad Wagay (Barkati), said on Sunday that she is being subjected to “psychological tactics” by her opponents, especially the National Conference (NC).

Addressing a press conference, Sugra, who emphasized that she is not a politician and only wants her parents released from jail, explained that she has been forced into the public eye “due to compulsion,” with the unusual circumstances placing a heavy burden on her shoulders.

“I have been subjected to psychological tactics, with Omar Abdullah leading the charge when he mentioned my father, saying that people in jail are filing papers against him. Filing the papers was my decision,” she said.

“During the Lok Sabha elections, Omar told Engineer Rashid’s son that if he had known they were running, he wouldn’t have filed his papers,” Sugra explained and added that Omar’s statement was the reason she decided to file papers on behalf of her father, hoping that, if he won, her father might be released from jail.

“One of the NC spokespersons, Ifra Jan, openly called my father a thief; it was like a stab to my chest,” she said. “We are helpless, and we leave it in the hands of people and the Almighty.”

Regarding AIP’s chief, Engineer Sheikh Rashid, Sugra said she had expected AIP to voluntarily give the mandate to her father in Langate. “We were in contact with them since my father’s papers were rejected in Zainapora. We wanted Engineer Rashid to support us because we hardly know anyone from Beerwah and Ganderbal. We thought Langate would make a difference.”

She added that she had been in touch with Engineer Rashid’s brother, Sheikh Khurseed, as well as Inam-un-Nabi, AIP’s spokesperson. “We were assured the matter would be considered, but we never received a response.”

She concluded by questioning, “If it was ‘jail ka badla vote se’ during the Lok Sabha elections, which Engineer Rashid won, then why not now?”

PULWAMA — National Conference President Farooq Abdullah on Friday launched a scathing attack on Engineer Rashid, calling him an "agent" of the Centre. Abdullah said this while interacting with reporters in Shopian during an election rally.

When asked about Engineer Rashid's release from jail, Abdullah said, "You know this yourself. Everyone knows this. We are not afraid. No matter how many engineers are released, no one can destroy the National Conference."

The National Conference leader expressed his commitment to the people of Kashmir, saying, "I only have faith in Allah and I have faith in these people."

Dr Abdullah criticized PM Modi for his remarks on Muslim population growth, saying, "Muslims never steal anyone's Mangalsutra; they are committed and law-abiding people."

He emphasized that Muslims are not against India but against the forced imposition of religion and discrimination.

The National Conference leader condemned the "fake propaganda" spread by the BJP, alleging that they have "looted all of India."

He expressed concern over the aim of India being distorted to fuel fighting among communities. Dr Abdullah rejected the idea of an India where religion is used to discriminate and bulldozers are used to destroy Islamic schools.

Meanwhile, the NC patron also visited the residence of Bashir Ahmad Nengroo in Pulwama where a brief ceremony was held during which Bashir Nengroo announced his rejoining the National Conference.

While speaking to the media, Farooq Abdullah said the BJP is trying to divide people in the upcoming Assembly elections. He said the Centre is responsible for shattering the trust of people by taking decisions like August 5, 2019 (scrapping of Article 370).

SRINAGAR — Awami Ittehad Party (AIP) leader Engineer Rashid, has announced that he will support the INDIA bloc candidates in the Jammu and Kashmir Assembly elections if they promise to restore Article 370 of the Constitution once they come to power at the Centre.

Rashid, who was recently released on interim bail, stated that he would direct his candidates to pledge their supporters' votes to the INDIA bloc if they assure him of their commitment to reinstating Article 370.

He emphasized that resolving the Kashmir issue is crucial for India to achieve its dream of becoming a global power. He criticized the government's actions on August 5, 2019, and accused them of snatching away the rights of Kashmiris.

Rashid also targeted National Conference and PDP leaders, saying they lacked the courage to fight for the restoration of Article 370. He expressed disappointment over Mehbooba Mufti's statement against him and claimed that Farooq Abdullah was aware of the Centre's plans to revoke Article 370 in advance.

The AIP leader denied that his Lok Sabha election win was due to sympathy votes, instead attributing it to his work on human rights and development. He also alleged that he was pressured to support a BJP proxy candidate in the Lok Sabha polls and was denied basic facilities in jail for refusing to do so.

SRINAGAR — The brother of Engineer Abdul Rashid Sheikh, who is the incarcerated founder and patron of the Jammu and Kashmir Awami Ittehad Party (AIP), is set to fight the upcoming Assembly elections from Langate constituency on AIP's ticket.

As per the local news agency KNS, the Jammu & Kashmir Government has approved the request of Khursheed Ahmed Sheikh (Er Rashid's brother) for voluntary retirement from service.

According to an order from the School Education department, Khursheed Ahmed Sheikh, who worked at a school in Mawar, has been granted voluntary retirement effective from September 1, 2024.

Khursheed is expected to be the candidate for the AIP from the Langate segment. He will compete directly with Peoples Conference candidate Irfan Panditpuri in this segment.

SRINAGAR — A Delhi court has reserved its order on the bail plea of Lok Sabha MP Engineer Rashid, who is currently in jail in a 'terror' funding case. The court is expected to pronounce its order on September 4.

Rashid, who was arrested by the National Investigation Agency (NIA) in 2019, has been in jail for his alleged involvement in a 2017 'terror' funding case. He was granted custody parole on July 5 to take the oath of office after winning the Lok Sabha elections from Baramulla constituency in Jammu and Kashmir.

The NIA had filed a charge sheet against several people, including Kashmiri separatist leader Yasin Malik, Lashkar-e-Taiba founder Hafiz Saeed, and Hizbul Mujahideen chief Syed Salahuddin, in the case. Malik was sentenced to life imprisonment by a trial court in 2022 after pleading guilty to the charges.

Rashid's bail plea was heard by Additional Sessions Judge Chander Jit Singh during an in-camera hearing on Wednesday. The judge had earlier issued a notice to the NIA and directed it to file its response by August 28.

The political scene in Jammu and Kashmir is changing. For years, the usual power players called the shots in the erstwhile State. But now, something unexpected is happening. Engineer Abdul Rashid once pushed to the sidelines, has become a key figure in the Valley's political talks. What makes this even more interesting? He's doing it all from inside Tihar Jail. This turn of events shows just how unpredictable Kashmir's politics can be.

Rashid, after spending five years behind bars under the tough UAPA law, seemed to many like a figure from the past. Yet, his recent win in the Lok Sabha polls beating NC Vice President and ex-Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, has pushed him back into the limelight. Standing as an Independent for the Baramulla seat, Rashid's success goes beyond personal achievement; it shows how unhappy people are with Kashmir's established political parties.

The Awami Ittehad Party (AIP), which Rashid started, has an influence on this feeling. It sees itself as speaking for people who think the NC and the People's Democratic Party (PDP), the usual big players, let them down. Rashid's son Abrar now leads the campaign since his father can't. He's getting people to back them by pointing to his father's ongoing jail time.

What the AIP says hits home with people seeming tired of how things are. The NC and PDP have made promises for years, but many are now fed up. This has opened the door for Rashid to run as an outsider. His son says the coming Assembly vote will change everything for Kashmir. More and more people think that if Rashid gets back into politics, it could mean big changes in how the Valley is run.

The possibility of Rashid getting out of Tihar Jail is hanging in the balance. The AIP has asked for bail, and people think it might happen before the Assembly elections. If this occurs, it could fire up his followers and shake up the long-standing power balance in Kashmir politics.

Still, some questions linger. Can someone who's been in jail for five years charged with funding 'terrorism', lead a political shake-up? Or is his current fame just a flash in the pan driven more by people's frustrations than any long-term political plan?

One thing's for sure: Engineer Rashid has become a rebel figure in a place where staying in politics often means going along to get along. His rise from the edges of Kashmir's political discourse to the center of today's talks shows how politics can change in the Valley. As the Assembly elections get closer, everyone will be watching Rashid and the AIP wondering if this upstart movement can turn popular backing into real political clout.

In the Valley where it's hard to tell heroes from villains, Engineer Rashid's tale shows his toughness, his fight against the system, and his lasting wish for things to get better. From jail or while running for office, he has an impact on what's next for Jammu and Kashmir given the upcoming Assembly elections.

NEW DELHI — The National Investigation Agency (NIA) on Monday gave its consent for jailed Kashmiri leader Sheikh Abdul Rashid, known as Engineer Rashid, to take oath as a Member of Parliament (MP) on July 25. Additional Sessions Judge Chander Jit Singh will pass an order on the plea on Tuesday.

Rashid, the MP from Baramulla who was arrested in a 2017 Jammu and Kashmir militancy funding case, had moved the court seeking interim bail, or custody parole in the alternative, to take oath and perform his parliamentary functions.

A special court here on June 22 had adjourned the matter and asked the NIA to file its response.

On Monday, the NIA’s counsel said Rashid’s oath-taking ceremony be subject to some conditions like not speaking to the media. He also said Rashid must complete everything within a day.

Rashid has been in jail since 2019 after he was charged by the NIA under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act for his alleged involvement in a militancy funding case. He is currently lodged in Tihar Jail.

SRINAGAR — The political turf in Jammu and Kashmir is witnessing a surge of tension following the victory of Engineer Rashid in the Baramulla constituency. National Conference Vice President Omar Abdullah's remarks about the election outcome have sparked a heated debate, with People's Democratic Party (PDP) leader Waheed-Ur-Rehman Para strongly criticizing Abdullah's stance.

Omar Abdullah, as per the news agency KNO, expressed concern on Thursday that Engineer Rashid's triumph could strengthen separatist ideology and reinvigorate the Islamic movement in Kashmir.

"Rashid's victory will, without any doubt, empower the separatists and give a ray of hope to the defeated Islamic movement in Kashmir," Omar stated on Twitter. He linked this outcome to the broader political strategy of integrating separatists into mainstream politics, a move, as per him, that has historically backfired.

Engineer Rashid, also known as Abdul Rashid Sheikh, is currently incarcerated on militancy funding charges. Despite his imprisonment, he secured the Baramulla seat with a margin of over 200,000 votes, defeating prominent figures including Omar Abdullah and Sajjad Lone. Rashid garnered a total of 472,481 votes.

In response to Omar's comments, Waheed Para of the PDP voiced his disappointment, accusing Abdullah of refusing to accept the democratic mandate.

"I am extremely disappointed by Omar Abdullah's regressive stance, which is reminiscent of the divisive politics of 1987 and labelling democratic expression as 'Islamic wave'. His (Omar's) family's history with the Muslim Conference has been to oust PDP, Engineer Rashid, and JeI (Jamaat-e-Islami). Also, it has been increasing the conflict between Kashmir and the Centre," Para stated.

Para further argued that a more prudent approach, similar to Mehbooba Mufti's appeal for Rashid's release, would have been more appropriate.

Mehbooba Mufti, former Chief Minister of Jammu and Kashmir and PDP chief, congratulated Engineer Rashid and called for his release.

"Hearty congratulations to Mian Altaf, Agha Ruhullah, Engineer Rashid, and Hanifa Jaan for winning the Parliament elections. The Indian government should respect the people's decision and release Engineer Rashid," Mufti posted on X, formerly known as Twitter.

NEW DELHI — After winning the Lok Sabha elections from northern Kashmir's Baramulla constituency, the incarcerated former Assembly Member Engineer Rashid has approached Delhi's Patiala House Court, seeking interim bail to take oath as a Member of Parliament.

Er Rashid is currently lodged at Delhi’s Tihar Jail and he is accused of militancy funding.

Additional Sessions Judge of Patiala House Court, Chander Jeet Singh, as per the news agency KNT, has sought a response from the National Investigation Agency (NIA) on Engineer Rashid's bail plea. The court will next hear the case on Friday.

Engineer Rashid emerged victorious from the Baramulla parliamentary seat, defeating his rivals including the former Jammu Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, Peoples Conference Chairman Sajjad Gani Lone and PDP’s Fayaz Mir.