In his first-ever speech in Parliament, Engineer Rashid, the newly elected MP from Baramulla, brought attention to the recent deaths of civilians in Jammu and Kashmir. Speaking during the ongoing Budget session, he stated that Kashmiri lives are not cheap and demanded justice. Rashid, who has been in Tihar Jail since 2019, was granted a two-day custody parole by the Delhi High Court to attend the session.
During his address, Rashid called for an impartial investigation into two recent deaths—Waseem Ahmed Mir, who was killed in Army firing during a checkpoint inspection in Baramulla, and Makhan Din, who allegedly died by suicide due to police mistreatment in Kathua. These incidents have sparked outrage, with political parties and leaders demanding a fair probe.
“Our blood is not cheap. We have the right to live,” Rashid asserted, urging the government to ensure accountability. He also questioned the actions of security forces, asking, “Do our forces need Waseem Mir’s blood every day?”
Apart from highlighting these tragic incidents, Rashid spoke about the difficulties faced by people in remote areas of north Kashmir, including Karna, Keran, and Machil. He emphasized the need for infrastructure development, particularly the construction of a tunnel, to improve connectivity for residents who struggle to survive during harsh winters.
Rashid was elected as MP from Baramulla in the 2024 Lok Sabha elections while still in jail. He was arrested by the NIA in 2019 under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act for his alleged involvement in a 2017 terror-funding case.
The Delhi High Court granted him limited parole to attend the Budget session, with strict conditions—he is not allowed to access the internet or interact with the media during this period.
