Srinagar: Sheikh Abdul Rashid, the jailed Lok Sabha MP from Baramulla, Jammu and Kashmir, announced on Saturday that he will observe a two-day hunger strike on the eve of Gandhi Jayanti to highlight the enduring relevance of the principle of non-violence.
In a handwritten letter addressed to ‘Bapu’ and sent to the Lok Sabha Speaker, the MP—currently lodged in Tihar Jail, Delhi, in a terror funding case—stated that the world is in “desperate need” of peace.
Rashid, popularly known as Engineer Rashid, emphasized that Gandhi’s philosophy of non-violence is more pertinent today than ever, while nations across the globe continue to engage in violence, even under the guise of pursuing peace. “Those who speak most of your message, Bapu, hardly match their words with deeds,” he wrote, expressing deep concern over the situation in Kashmir.
Recalling Gandhi’s role during Partition, Rashid noted that when the subcontinent was engulfed in communal flames, Gandhi “saw Kashmir as a beacon of hope and harmony.” He lamented that today, Kashmiris are often labeled anti-national, Pakistan proxies, communal, stone-pelters, anti-Hindu, militants, radicals, or Islamists. “Being a Muslim is an honour, and no true Muslim can ever be radical,” he asserted.
The MP criticized the lack of attention to Kashmiris’ political and human rights, stating, “Even those who speak against UAPA terrorism prefer silence, fearful of the law. Thousands lie in graves, men in prisons lose their lives, and countless others remain jailed due to the misdeeds of Partition, for which nobody takes responsibility.”
Referring to Kashmiri Pandits and border residents, Rashid added, “Kashmiri Pandits, who were protected by Kashmiri Muslims at the cost of their own lives, are still living as refugees.” He described Tihar Jail as a “second home for all who want to uphold your vision of non-violence while fighting for their legitimate rights.”
Condemning what he called “divisive politics,” Rashid said Gandhi’s vision has been replaced by “draconian policies.” He warned that the state is exploiting the Kashmiris’ commitment to non-violence, turning Jammu and Kashmir into an “experimental lab,” while fascist forces benefit from their helplessness.
“I am sure your soul must be restless witnessing the hardships Kashmiris have endured since 1989,” he wrote. “Muslims are branded outsiders, with terms like ‘Babar ki Aulad’ legitimizing hate. The great Indian state does not need enemies from outside—the ultranationalists are doing what external enemies cannot.”
To reaffirm Gandhi’s message of non-violence, Rashid said he will begin his two-day hunger strike in Tihar Jail at 10 am on October 1, concluding at 10 am on October 3.
