In a recent statement, Omar Abdullah, the prominent National Conference leader and former Chief Minister of Jammu and Kashmir, addressed the comments made by Baramulla MP Engineer Rashid. Rashid, who had been incarcerated for some time, expressed his views on the current state of affairs in Kashmir, particularly in light of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision for the region.
Omar Abdullah, responding to Rashid’s statements, said, “He was in jail, how could the correct news reach him? He is a victim of misunderstanding.” Abdullah suggested that Rashid’s prolonged imprisonment might have left him with incomplete or inaccurate information about the developments in Jammu and Kashmir.
Rashid, known for his vocal stance on issues concerning Kashmir, had previously advocated for a referendum on the region’s political status during election campaigns. Abdullah, commenting on this, remarked, “If he has come out of jail only to challenge the vision of Prime Minister Narendra Modi for a new Kashmir, then what is new in it?” He emphasized that Rashid’s views had not changed, despite his time in prison, noting that “Earlier, he used to talk about referendums during elections.”
The National Conference leader’s response seems to indicate that Rashid’s opposition to the central government’s policies on Kashmir is not unexpected. However, Abdullah added a sharp critique, saying, “I first want to hear those slogans from his mouth,” perhaps implying that Rashid’s stance needed to be reaffirmed publicly post-incarceration before drawing any serious conclusions about his political intentions.
The exchange between Abdullah and Rashid highlights the ongoing political debates surrounding Kashmir, especially in the context of the Modi government’s initiatives to reshape the region. Engineer Rashid’s return to the political arena following his release from prison may stir further discourse on Kashmir’s future, as both old and new political narratives continue to evolve in this sensitive region.
