By Abrar Rashid
Let me start with congratulating the people of J&K especially the youth, who created history by voting overwhelmingly for jailed leader Er Rashid against all odds. The victory is not significant only for the reason that he won from jail or he defeated two CM aspirants, Omar Abdullah, Sajad Lone with huge margin but his victory broke many myths and false perceptions and it was undoubtlly victory of democracy, victory of youth who first time in 35 years came out with enthusiasm to vote for Er Rashid and above all victory over negativity. To contest election was not Er Rashid’s decision but his colluages were forced to respect the sentiments of masses who had seen a ray of hope in Er Rashid not because he was politically victimized and is in jail since last 5 years but they had seen his performance, commitment, sincerity and dedication since the day he had quit his job in 2008 and won two consecutive assembly elections in 2008, 2014 . The media fraternity, political observers, the government agencies even his political rivals have two opinions at least to conclude & observe that in his absentia, his election campaign was peoples movement, where people did everything on their own, conscience forced them to stand firm with Er Rashid. Lets be unbiased to confess that Kashmir’s by voting overwhelmingly for Er Rashid have sent a clear message to the rest of the country that Kashmir’s want peace with honour and dignity. Their legitimate voices can neither be ignored nor supressed by putting them in jail for years together. Thought Sajad Lone, Mehbooba Mufti and G N Azad accepted the peoples verdict with humility, it was unfortunate to see Omar Abdullah finding strange, unreasonable excuse to justify his defeat which was against the fundamentals of Democracy and more importantly against the people of Kashmir. His words were painful and ill intended. Few more joined the chorus & tried to find out unreasonable conclusions from the outcome of the election. Here is the sum up of what is being said spread by a section of media & Er, Rashid s for political opponents:
Myth no 1; Er Rashid Emerged like a dark horse & got success because of the sympathy wave. Reality, Those calling Er. Rashid as dark horse are illusion .they need to know that in 2019 while NC got 29 votes, Sajad lone and er Rasheed got 22 % each while Sajad was ahead in Handwara and Pattan assembly segments ,Er Rashid rad dominated over all including NC ,PC, PDP and Congress in Karnah , Langate ,Uri, Baramulla and Gulmarg assembly segments and finished no 2 in another six had carried the head line when results were declared in 2019 . NC wins 3 seats from Kashmir but Er Rashid is the man of the match .the fact that he would have been to the parliament in 2019 vary comfortably had hid political opponents not succeeded in enforcing boycot in his am assembly constituency and few others. it is worth to recall that on the day of polling in 2019,fifteen year youth was killed by forces in Langate after alleged stone pelting, only to ensure election boycott in Langate where he was sure to get bumper votes. This all was done to ensure he did not make to the Parliament. He certainly was not a dark horse but had risen from the grossroot, had fought for the legitimate sights of people throughout J & k. Since 2008 till he was put behind the bars on era of abrogation of article 370 and victimized by being singled out because like others he had no God father’s in Delhi and his political rivals were feeling extremely insecure after his wonderful performance in 2019 Parliamentary elections. Coming to sympathy vote, it may be true to certain extent that his detention without any proper reasoning might have acted as a catalyst to boost his chances, but those who know Er. Rashid this brand of politics can tell you without any ifs & buts that he has been through out his life a fighter, who worked for common man not only by talking about their political aspirations but tried to give an inclusive model of governance in his constituency as MLA, created awareness among masses not only about their rights but also about their duties, knocked the doors of everyone to provide better facilities & infrastructure in his constituency & also buried the VIP culture in his jurisdiction by making even his opponents to realize that MLA are anyone else were simply public servants not any superman.
He would remain available to his people round the clock & not only did he made administration accountable but fought corruption & misgovernance tooth & nail. His connection with common masses has been extra ordinary. His focus on education is not hidden to anyone. People in many parts of North Kashmir can tell you how would he get students to their schools & colleges even in odd times. His message for youth has always been that their place was in colleges & universities & they must leave political issues to the politicians only.
In 2010 when entire Kashmir was burning, he in presence of Interlocuters had made around 3000 youth to take a pledge that they would not get involved in Stone pelting. It was none other than Parveen swami, renowned journalist in Hindi who had called his constituency an island of peace when entire Kashmir was burning. However he had fulfilled his promise to represent his people especially youth at all platforms without being unrealistic or illogical & that is the reason why people voted for him overwhelmingly .To be fair with him one must endorse the chain of his colleagues that Rashid had all the potential to create storm not only in North Kashmir, but the other parts of the J & K too.
Myth no 2:Er.Rashid’s victory would encourage radical Islamist & separatist forces in J & k.
Reality Er.Rashid has been a two time MLA. One has a right to agree or disagree with his political thought but if he as an MLA was not accused of representing radical Islamist or separatists, how come can now a propaganda campaign be launched against him only because he has successfully proven that people’s power is much more powerful than any powerful politician, no matter whether he or she represents the legacy of dynasty politics enjoys full support of the ruling dispensation at centre. The records of J & K assembly do reveal that never has been even his single word expunged form the proceedings of J & K assembly from 2008 to 2018.Undoubtdly he has been vocal especially against all sorts of Human rights violations & corruption & misgovernance.
He has also been talking of Kashmir issue, but how does it make him radical Islamist cost a separatist. Has every PM from Nehru to Modi & every regional politician from Shiekh sb to Altaf Bukhari not been talking about Kashmir issue. Everyone knows he is behind bars since five years only because few highly ambitious regional politicians thought he was obsessed in their way. It was Umar Abdullaah who during the election campaign without naming had shall made it understand who was behind it’s arrest. Till his arrest by NIA on eve of abrogation of article 370,never from 2008 till 5th august 2019 any FIR accusing him of anti national activities has been lodged against him. He was summoned by NIA just a day before abrogation of article 370.More importantly the charges levelled against Omar sb, Shah Faisal & Mehbooba Jee in that PSA orders were more heinous & more serious as compared to those slapped against. Er. Rashid under UAPA, but why was he only victimized & what happened to charges against Umar & Mehbooba. Let us not forget that after being elected to J&K assembly in 2009 Er Rashid voted for NC in both Rajya Sabha & Lok Sahba polls in shall they discoverable him………. radical & a separatist only because they are not ready to see their political space getting bulldogged by him through peaceful revolt. He to the best of my knowledge met Manmohan Singh twice & also Modi in July 2018.Infres… during election campaign Omar wished if he of Er Rashid could have taken a joint call on who should contest. On the day of counting one could see him claiming on Aaj tak that New Delhi had disowned jjjj& was promoting some one else (Er.Rashid) as alternative tone. But by evening when he lost he started portraying Er as a Radical Islamist & separatist .Certainly he is scared of Er Rashid does not want him to come at,but again sep… In the same mistake by Ignoring that jailed Er Rashid would or more disastrous for NC them being with his people.
Myth No 3:Er.Rashid won because separatists voted for him. Reality out of 18 assembly segments Sajad lone could lead just in one assembly segments (Handwara) over Er Rashid. Umar Abdullah tools lead over Er. In just three assembly segments. Rest was nominated hugely dominated by Er Rashid. There is a perception & claim made by BJP & most of the political analysts that Pol… Jugals. Shaisb & those living in border areas have strong pro India leaning. However like 2019 yet again this time too Er took heavy lead in Pahari/Gujar belts & border areas like Uri, Karnah ,Machil, & Keran etc. In shia dominated areas of Sonawari, Berwah &
and Tangmarg he got maximum Shia votes and Budgam and Pattan NC could just get few thousand votes more than Er. Why Gujars, Paharis, Shias and those living in border areas voted for alleged separatist an Islamist. The figures reveal that in 2019 he took 52% of the postal ballot votes, casted by army and other security personal. It is established that all the ream victims of violence and those in search of peace be they men in uniform con common Kashmiri’s, they have shown their faith in Er Rashid. It was none other than PM himself who led the campaign to congratulate people of J&k for the record turn out in these elections, but everyone like in 2019 gave credit to Er Rashid for getting people especially youth in large numbers to choose ballot over Bullet
and from Er.Rashids home constituency Langate Er rashid like Omar ,Sajad and Mehbooba does not have any family legacy in politics, but took a big risk in the mid of his carrier by leaving a charming govt job. He earned love, respect and trust of masses, cutting across the spectrum. It was strange that Umar rather accepting his humiliating defeat at the hands of Er Rashid claimed that people of Baramulla deserved a better representation. His words are unacceptable an insult to democracy and to the wisdom of the people especially youth who voted in huge numbers for Er Rashid. Umar Abdullah should tell people why would he have been a better representative as compared to Er rashid. May he throw some light on his contributions as union minister, as CM and as leader of opposition. The fact is he or anyone else can no way compete Er Rashid brand of people politics, his integrity, commitment and sincerity. It is not Umar’s cup of tea to show the consistency and fighting spirit like that of Er rashid. He simply is not swallowing the defeat, but has no options.
Conclusion:-Let everybody respect the peoples verdict. It as time to release Er rashid and withdraw the case against him same way charges were dropped against Omar, Mehbooba jee, Shah Faisal and Farooq Abdullah. His continuous detention is insult to people’s mandate . Er rashid seems to be successfully filling the political vacume on ground. Everyone who matters knows better that why was he victimized. People’s court has cleared him of all the charges BJP govt had stopped on him. The verdict
Has given an opportunity to bridge the gaps , muzzling his voice further,with out any logical reason will add to further caring for the political future of Just few families, New Delhi in the large interest must give political space to all .Let us not forget that Home Minister Amit Shah himself welcomed JI,s desires to contest elections, if ban on JI would be revoked. It is time to reconcile not confront. Er Rashid no doubt is a tough bargainer and takes form stand on issues ,but he is not unrealistic, selfish ( or) illogical, like others he has neither created any assets nor he lied to people that is why he got such an amazing success I against his wish put my studies at halt for two weeks and had campaigned for him not because he way my father but mainly because world needed to be told the truth .It were thousands of his followers and the youth of Kashmir who reached in every nook and cornet and unrefined and dislodged those who were under perception that they well born to rule .His victory of voiceless and a loud message that indigenous honest voice neither be side lined nor silenced by harsh muscular policies .Let all the stake holders understand that the sufferings, aspirations and legitimate political rights of people of j & k are much more important than everything else .They deserve an honourable resolution all issues and if they have chosen Er .Rashid to speak them in the parliament, He should be released without marking him certainly ended and let darkness end for people.
The author is son of Engineer Rashid, the Member of Parliament from Baramulla constituency. He can be reached at sarasheed43@gmail.com
