Baramulla MP Engineer Rashid Observes One-Day Hunger Strike in Tihar Jail, Later Attends Lok Sabha Session — Here’s Why

New Delhi: Baramulla MP and Awami Ittihad Party (AIP) chief Engineer Rashid, who is currently lodged in Tihar Jail, staged a one-day hunger strike on the occasion of International Human Rights Day. According to AIP spokesperson Inam-ul-Nabi, Rashid began his symbolic fast on Wednesday morning, ahead of attending the ongoing Parliament session.

The party said the objective of his fast was to remind the government of the unresolved issues faced by the people of Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh, and to urge a “humane and sincere approach” in addressing them.

Rashid had already informed the Lok Sabha about his plan to observe the fast on December 10, stating that it was meant to draw attention to the decades-long pain and lingering grievances of the region’s residents.

Letter to the Prime Minister

Earlier, Engineer Rashid had written to Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressing concern over the widening rift between the Lieutenant Governor’s administration and the office of the Jammu & Kashmir Chief Minister. He stated that this growing administrative disconnect was creating uncertainty among citizens and slowing down decision-making on key developmental and welfare issues.

The MP urged the Prime Minister to intervene personally to restore smooth governance, strengthen transparency, and maintain the credibility of both institutions for the larger welfare of Jammu & Kashmir.

What Rashid Said in Parliament

While participating in the debate on electoral reforms in the Lok Sabha, Engineer Rashid highlighted that despite being in jail, he contested the elections and won with a margin of over two lakh votes. He thanked the voters for their overwhelming support and acknowledged the Election Commission for conducting the polls despite pressure from various quarters.

However, he voiced dissatisfaction with the delimitation exercise, noting that Kashmir gained only one additional seat while Jammu saw an increase of five seats. He termed the imbalance “unfair.”