The Awami Itihaad Party (AIP), led by jailed Baramulla Member of Parliament Engineer Rashid, on Wednesday called for a unified and peaceful demonstration at Jantar Mantar in New Delhi to press for the restoration of statehood to Jammu and Kashmir and to raise other pressing issues concerning the region.
Addressing a press conference here, AIP chief spokesperson Inam Un Nabi, along with party vice president G N Shaheen, announced that the protest would focus on the demand for the immediate restoration of Jammu and Kashmir’s statehood, protection of constitutional rights, and an end to the harassment of Kashmiris outside the union Territory.
“We invite the National Conference, PDP and all regional political parties, along with socio-economic forums, to join a unified protest at Jantar Mantar instead of limiting symbolic actions to the lawns of Jammu,” Inam said, adding the party has applied for the permission and date for the protest will be conveyed accordingly.
Shaheen said that while AIP’s political vision goes beyond the restoration of statehood, statehood remains the basic premise for the restoration of fundamental rights and the realization of the people’s broader political aspirations within the framework of the Constitution of India.
He said the party has taken a clear decision to raise the issue of statehood in the Assembly and in the Parliament, noting that repeated demands by MP Baramulla Engineer Rashid in Parliament have made statehood a loud and consistent demand.
“AIP believes the issue must be pursued across all constitutional forums and in the public domain,” he said.
Reacting sharply to the statement by PDP President Mehbooba Mufti, AIP leader Inam termed her allegation that Kashmiri MPs were silent on attacks and harassment of Kashmiris outside the region as misleading and deeply dishonest.
He said it erases facts on public record and ignores her own political past.
“Engineer Rashid, brought to Parliament in a prisoners’ bus without even a windshield, raised the issue on the very first day of the session. When denied the opportunity to speak, Er Rashid walked out of the House in protest, clearly asserting that the dignity and safety of Kashmiris are non-negotiable. To claim that no MP from Kashmir raised the issue is either a deliberate lie or willful political blindness,” Inam said.
