Rameez Makhdoomi
Awami Ittihaad Party President (AIP) and MLA Langate Engineer Rashid is known for his charisma and raising the burning issues of masses. A glance at the current historical speeches delivered by Engineer Rashid in 2014 Winter Assembly Session aptly proves why Engineer Rashid is rising star of Kashmir polity.
KASHMIR ANOTHER PALESTINE: ER RASHID
Awami Ittihaad Party President (AIP) and MLA Langate Engineer Rashid has stated that granting citizenship status to West Pakistani refugee settled in Jammu and Kashmir would have serious consequences for the state.
While speaking in the assembly on the topics related to revenue, rehabilitation and law affairs Engineer Rashid stated that until doomsday it is not possible to grant permanent state subject rights to refugees from Pakistan as it is not only against the very paradigm of justice but aims at destroying the majority character of Muslims and strongly criticized Jammu based members for demanding the same.
Pertinently, Engineer Rashid stated: “If the state government is serious in addressing the issues of Pakistani refugees than it should raise the issue with Central Government. Government of India can take up the same with Government of Pakistan so that they can be settled comfortably back at their native places.
Er Rashid also criticized members of Jammu for trying to revive the issue related to restoration of ‘Dogra Certificate’ terming it illogical to get recruited in Army or other institution just on account of having ‘Dogra Ethnicity’. “Dogra Certificate revival would mean a great injustice against Muslims of Jammu region,” stated Engineer Rashid.
While reflecting on the issue of rehabilitation of Kashmiri Pandit Community, Engineer Rashid advised the migrant Pandit community not to fall in the trap of Government. “The Homeland demand is aimed at making Kashmir another Palestine which won’t be allowed to happen .Kashmiri Pandits are part and parcel of Kashmiri society and they need to win the trust of majority community and fight alongside them for the just resolution of Kashmir issue rather than going after absurd packages,” stated Er Rashid.
On the other hand, Engineer Rashid expressed disappointment over the fact that in 1989 when first bullet was fired in Kashmir the major portion of Pandit community left Kashmir and virtually left the Muslim Community at the mercy of guns. “I question those fanatic pandit leaders who always speak in loud voices and call themselves the real patriots of India where was there conscience and nationalism when they took this step in 1989 to leave Kashmir and leave Muslim community alone to suffer. Realistically, in the major part of our unfortunate history mostly Muslim community lost lives to keep the occupation of India intact in Kashmir through getting used by vested forums like NC, PDP, Congress or Task force.”
Deliberating on the issue of administrative units, Engineer Rashid made it once again clear that in an undue manner Jammu region was granted big share while drafting new administrative units in state as compared to Kashmir region.
Engineer Rashid on the occasion also called for ensuring speedy justice in the Tabinda Gani rape and murder case and stated that the then Chief Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad had established fast track court and ensured speedy justice. However he welcomed the statement of Law Minister statement that judgment would be soon delivered in this case. Engineer Rashid also expressed displeasure that lawlessness is increasing in state and government is patronizing the corrupt and dishonest elements
Omar, Mehbooba should learn from Jayalalithaa, Karunanidhi: Er Rashid
Awami Ittihaad Party (AIP) President and MLA Langate Engineer Rashid in assembly also stated that if Tamil Nadu government can take the decision of releasing killers of former Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi why can’t the Jammu & Kashmir Government release the prisoners like DR Qasim Faktoo , Masrat Alam Bhat , Ghulam Qadir Bhat and dozens of other prisoners lodged in jails since past many decades and years .
According to a statement issued to KNS, Er Rashid, said, “ Jammu & Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah and Opposition Leader Mehbooba Mufti should learn from Tamil Nadu Chief Minister J Jayalalithaa and opposition leader Karunanidhi on as to how for the genuine interests of the people of their state the ruling and opposition parties despite differences fight jointly in a successful manner.”
While speaking on the debate over ‘grants for departments under Chief Minister’, Engineer Rashid stated – “ National Conference and PDP should get united for the genuine cause of people of Jammu & Kashmir or get amalgamated in a National Party. It s a matter of grave concern that Omar Abdullah, Mehbooba Mufti, Farooq Abdullah and Mufti Mohammad Sayeed have in recent times even hesitated to debate or critique over the serious issued faced by people. If leaders like Farooq Abdullah Mufti Sayeed and Saif-ud -Din Soz now are raising voice that injustice was meted to Afzal guru it means nothing. Atleast, now they should demand in a joint voice mortal remains of Afzal Guru. But people very well know about the contradiction between the ‘words and deeds of these three parties.”
On the occasion, Engineer Rashid in presence of all members presented a resolution to Speaker asking for mortal remains of Afzal Guru and urged upon NC, PDP and Congress to support the same if they in real terms repent about their conduct in this regard. Engineer Rashid, remarked, “We in united voice support this resolution and should call in a bold manner for government of India to hand over mortal remains of Afzal Guru.”
Engineer Rashid made it clear that unresolved Kashmir would continue to gravely impact the scenario and no betterment can be achieved irrespective of the fact if the chair of Chief Minister is looked after by Farooq Abdullah, Mufti Sayeed or any tallest Hurriyat leader . Pertinently, Engineer Rashid also criticized the often overtones of BJP calling Jammu & Kashmir an integral part of India making it clear that such overtures make the disputed status of J&K clear.
Army order to Kashmiri journalists not to wear the traditional dress Pheran also came under fire from Engineer Rashid . “ Calling for journalists not to wear Pheran by Army is not only the crossing of limits by army but also a move aimed at cultural aggression against Kashmiris .I congratulate the journalists of Kashmir for resisting the said Diktat successfully,” stated Engineer Rashid.
Engineer Rashid also expressed disappointment that police could not for a week trace a minister virtually always under their security while they trace a militant within no time. Engineer Rashid called on Chief Minister Omar Abdullah to show seriousness and call for an all-party meeting to discuss the burning issue of masses and the way ahead to solve the all important Kashmir dispute.
Engineer Rashid protests step-motherly treatment to Kashmir over allotment of health centers
MLA Langate and Awami Ittihaad Party President Engineer Rashid has expressed deep anger and resentment over sanctioning more health centers in favour of Jammu region as compared to Kashmir Valley.
During Question Hour, Engineer Rashid informed the assembly that under NHRM Scheme in a hideous manner the state government granted 676 health centers for state and further made it clear that mere 15 Assembly
Constituencies of Jammu were allotted a heavy chunk of 430 health centers, while Kashmir Valley’s and Ladakh regions 50 constituencies were allotted just a peanut share of 250 health centers.
While protesting in the wellof house, Engineer Rashid alleged that Omar government is uprooting the genuine interests of Kashmiri people. When the State Minister Sham Lal Sharma tried to answer that these centers have been allotted in remote areas, Engineer Rashid not contentded with answer lodged a strong protest and was joined by few members from NC and PDP.
Engineer Rashid while targeting both NC and PDP stated – “The roots of injustice against people of Kashmir lies in the personal animosity between NC and PDP. If these parties are serious in addressing problems of people of Kashmir then they should together contest upcoming polls to expose evil designs of congress party but maintained that such prospect for the timebeing does not look possible. NC,PDP are feeling delighted to sit in the lap of congress and listing to its poetic tunes.”
Amidst continuing strong protest by Engineer Rashid over the issue Speaker adjourned the proceedings of house for few minutes .After restart of proceedings, engineer Rashid once again lodged a strong protest and taking note of this the Speaker decided to constitute a “House Committee” to look into the matter of granting more health centers to Jammu over Kashmir valley.
Return back Sopori’s house: Engineer Rashid to Jammu & Kashmir Government
Jammu, Feb 24: Awami Ittihaad Party (AIP) President and MLA Langate Engineer Rashid said Monday that Jammu and Kashmir Government has assured him in Assembly that it was seriously looking into the matter of returning back the confiscated house of veteran and elderly leader of People’s League Ghulam Muhammad Khan Sopori .
“Today soon after the Question Hour ended, Awami Ittihaad Party (AIP) President and MLA Langate Engineer Rashid raised the issue and questioned Government as to what is the moral and legal argument behind seizure of the house of Sopori built on just 5 malras of land. Engineer Rashid made it clear that it is beyond the wisdom of common man to comprehend that through hawala money a property is built on just 5 malras and the accusation laid on Khan Sopori looks obviously baseless,” said an AIP statement.
“In this state we have big crocodiles, bureaucrats, ministers amassing huge properties by looting the state coffer and on otherside it looks perplexing how a elderly person having property merely on 5 malras of land is being accused of hawala transactions.”
Rashid said that state government should realize the painful reality that Khan Sopori along with his family on account of being homeless was suffering a lot.
Sajad Ahmad Kitchloo, state Home Minister intervened and assured that on humanitarian grounds this matter would be taken up and full efforts would be made so that Khan Sopori gets his house back.
Undoubtedly, these charismatic and public pulse speeches prove aptly that Engineer Rashid is speaking his heart out against the tyranny faced by nation of Kashmir.