Jammu and Kashmir Assembly Elections 2024 | Back home, Engineer Rashid says peace will come on “our terms and not on Modi’s”

Supporters were on hand at the airport to welcome Rashid, who had spent over five years in Tihar Jail, facing accusations of terror funding from the National Investigation Agency.

Srinagar: Awami Ittehad Party (AIP) chief and Member of Parliament from Baramulla Sheikh Abdul Rashid, known as Engineer Rashid Thursday launched a scathing attack on Prime Minister Narendra Modi saying peace in Jammu and Kashmir will come “on our terms and not on Modis.”

Rashid, speaking in Srinagar a day after his bail release from Delhi’s Tihar Jail, stated that Kashmiris seek peace on their own terms rather than those imposed by New Delhi. "We want to tell Modi that no one desires peace more than we do. However, that peace must be on our terms, not yours. We seek peace with dignity, not the peace of a graveyard," Rashid declared.

Released on interim bail by a National Investigation Agency (NIA) Court in Delhi after being held since 2019 on alleged terror funding charges, the AIP chief criticized Modi’s decisions regarding Kashmir. “The decisions made by Modi on August 5, 2019, are entirely unacceptable to us,” he said, referring to the revocation of Article 370.

Rashid vowed that whether imprisoned or not, the people of Kashmir would prevail, asserting that his struggle is to resolve the Kashmir issue. He further stated that India must address this issue if it aims to become a global leader.

The Baramulla MP also asserted his identity as a proud Islamist while distancing himself from radicalism, emphasizing his love for the people of India and belief in the concept of ‘Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam’ (the world is one family).

He also criticized the opposition I.N.D.I.A. bloc, accusing them of being “backstabbers” while the ruling BJP “indulges in direct confrontation.” Rashid said that his party may support the National Conference-Congress alliance in the J&K Assembly elections if they commit to seeking the restoration of Article 370 in the Parliament.

Attacking NC Vice President Omar Abdullah and PDP President Mehbooba Mufti, the AIP chief questioned their accusations of him being a BJP ally, highlighting his prolonged imprisonment as evidence of his independence. He emphasized that his victory against Omar in the Baramulla Lok Sabha seat was a vote against Modi’s policies and the August 5, 2019, abrogation.

Rashid announced that his party will contest the assembly elections to amplify the voice of Kashmiris. If the AIP wins 40 seats, he pledged to protest outside Modi's residence in Delhi to highlight their grievances.

Speaking about the Kashmiri detainees, including separatist figures such as Asiya Andrabi, he expressed “deep concern” for their treatment. “They are our Sita. If you want to bring hearts closer, is it right to imprison our Kashmiri daughters?” he questioned.

Earlier upon landing in Srinagar, Rashid stepped out of his car and prostrated himself on the road, overcome with emotion. “This is my land,” he declared.

Rashid spoke in his signature style amid cheers and massive sloganeering in favour of him by the audience. He kept signaling them to keep calm, as loud slogans kept masking his speech.

His appearance is expected to compel the traditional parties to change strategies, even as the way he has been able to pull the crowd, analysts say it would be difficult for NC, Congress, and PDP to dominate the ground.