Srinagar, 24-06-2024 : National Conference vice president Omar Abdullah stated on Monday that newly elected Member of Parliament Abdul Rashid Sheikh, also known as Engineer Rashid, should be afforded the opportunity to take his oath and fulfill his parliamentary duties.
Engineer Rashid, who leads the Awami Ittehad Party, is currently incarcerated in Delhi’s Tihar Jail under allegations related to terror funding. Despite his confinement, Rashid emerged victorious in the recent Lok Sabha elections from the Baramulla constituency in Jammu and Kashmir, defeating prominent candidates Omar Abdullah and Sajad Lone by a significant margin. Rashid has petitioned the court for interim bail or custody parole to facilitate his oath-taking and parliamentary responsibilities.
The inaugural session of the 18th Lok Sabha commenced on Monday with the swearing-in ceremony of newly elected members. Omar Abdullah extended congratulations to all parliamentarians participating in this significant event for Indian democracy.
In a statement, Omar emphasized the importance of acknowledging the electoral mandate received by Engineer Rashid from the people of North Kashmir. He stressed the necessity of allowing Rashid to take his oath and effectively represent his constituents. Omar underscored the plight of imprisoned individuals who are unable or unwilling to participate in electoral processes due to their incarceration.
Omar assured that National Conference MPs would vigorously advocate for justice for all detainees, including Engineer Rashid. He expressed their commitment to demanding the transfer of detainees held outside Jammu and Kashmir back to local jails pending their release. Additionally, Omar highlighted their call for a broader amnesty for individuals detained since August 5, 2019, in the context of the region’s political developments.
The statement from Omar Abdullah reflects his party’s stance on justice and representation in the parliamentary arena amidst complex political circumstances in Jammu and Kashmir.