National Conference vice president Omar Abdullah on Monday said that Member Parliament elect Abdul Rashid Sheikh, aka Engineer Rashid, should be given the opportunity to take his oath and represent his constituents.
Engineer Rashid, who heads the Awami Ittehad Party, is currently lodged in Delhi’s Tihar Jail in a terror-funding case.
In the recent Lok Sabha polls, Engineer defeated Omar Abdullah and People’s Conference president Sajad Lone, with a huge margin from Baramulla Lok Sabha seat of Jammu and Kashmir. Rashid had already moved the court seeking interim bail, or custody parole in the alternative, to take oath and perform his parliamentary functions.
The first session of the 18th Lok Sabha began on Monday with the oath-taking ceremony by newly elected members of the Lower House.
Omar congratulated all the Members of Parliament who are taking their oaths.
“I congratulate all the Members of Parliament who are taking their oaths today, including those representing the people of Jammu and Kashmir. This is a momentous occasion for our democracy,” Omar posted on X.
“It is important to acknowledge that while the people of North Kashmir have elected Engineer Rashid, he should be given the opportunity to take his oath and represent his constituents. It is equally important to recognize the injustice faced by those imprisoned, who are unable or unwilling to participate in elections,” he added.
Omar said the Members of Parliament of the party would vociferously demand justice for all prisoners, including Engineer Rashid.
“Our Members of Parliament will vociferously demand justice for all prisoners, including Engineer Rashid. We will also demand the immediate transfer of these prisoners held in jails outside J&K back to jails in Kashmir, pending their release. One of our main demands will be a broader amnesty for all individuals detained after August 5, 2019,” he said.
