by Saifullah Bashir
SRINAGAR: In an audio, which is viral on social media, the erstwhile MLA Langate, Engineer Rashid has taunted PAGD (people’s alliance for Gupkar declaration) for not speaking for him. He has asked them some questions as well.
“I want to make people in Gupkar alliance remember that every year on June 7, AIP used to celebrate State Flag day. Why were you criticising us? Despite being in power you always denied us permission,” Rasheed is heard asking in the audio. “My friends in Gupkar should be asked – Why did not they ever speak up for my release from detention?”
Rasheed is in jail for more than a year and is currently in Tihar jail. He was questioned and subsequently arrested by the NIA in a terror funding case.
“I have no fear of pain and troubles, which I am facing in Tihar jail but I am afraid that people, would say that Kashmiris cannot distinguish between right and wrong”, Rasheed is saying in the audio.
In the audio, which apparently seems the recording of a telephone call, the Awami Ittehad Party leader has said that when he was free he tried his best to fight for the safeguard and for protection of the rights of people of Kashmir, through non-violent way.
“From time to time I urged the youth of valley that your place is in educational institutions and holding stone or gun is no option/solution,” Rasheed said. “My statements and acts remain non-controversial. What I told people, I conveyed the same to the Prime minister of India”.
Rashid said that he will continue his struggle for the rights of people. “We will meet soon and will spread the message to every corner of the valley”, he added.
Talking to Kashmir Life, his son Abrar Rashid said his father is being retained deliberately in a faraway prison. “They could have put him in local prison rather than outside but they do not want any sincere voice to rise,” Abrar claimed. “Our uncle is taking care of us as we are helpless.”
