Onlykashmir.in News Desk
Awami Itihaad Party (AIP) Chief Spokesperson Inam Un Nabi on Tuesday questioned the silence of regional political parties on the continued incarceration of MP Er Rashid, saying political differences should not prevent anyone from demanding the release of an elected representative.
Addressing party delegates of Srinagar, Inam said Er Rashid represents the sentiments and aspirations of the people of Jammu and Kashmir and continues to be a voice for those who often go unheard. He said the MP’s simplicity, accessibility and ability to connect with ordinary people, irrespective of their political affiliations, set him apart from conventional political leadership.
“His doors have always remained open to everyone. He rejected VIP culture, lived among ordinary people and stood by them without political or personal considerations. This approach has made him a different kind of political figure,” Inam said.
The AIP spokesperson observed that Er Rashid’s politics of accessibility and his direct connection with the public may have become uncomfortable for sections of the established political class. He expressed disappointment over the silence of regional parties and leaders on the MP’s continued incarceration.
“When political leaders are otherwise quick to raise demands on various issues, their silence on Er Rashid’s release is difficult to understand. Political differences should not prevent anyone from demanding the release of an elected MP,” he said.
Inam appealed to the Government of India to release Er Rashid without further delay and allow him to return to the people whose voice and aspirations he has consistently represented.
Er Rashid, who represents Baramulla in the Lok Sabha, has been in custody since his arrest in 2019 in a terror-funding case, and his supporters have repeatedly demanded his release. His electoral victory in 2024 from behind bars was among the most closely watched political developments in the Valley, and it brought fresh attention to the question of how an elected representative can serve his constituency while in custody. The AIP, which he founded, has since built its messaging around his case.
Inam’s remarks come at a time when the Valley’s mainstream parties are engaged in sharp political exchanges with one another, and the AIP appears keen to highlight what it sees as a selective approach in the political establishment. By framing the demand as one that should cross party lines, the party is seeking to put regional rivals on the spot and to keep Er Rashid’s situation in public discussion.
The statement did not mention any specific legal development in the case. The AIP’s message was addressed both to the Centre, which it urged to act, and to local political leaders, whom it urged to speak up. Whether other parties respond to the call remains to be seen, though the issue is likely to resurface as political activity intensifies in the Valley.
