Former MLA and political activist Engineer Rashid, who was recently released on bail, has vowed to challenge Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s “Naya Kashmir” narrative. After spending over four years in detention, Rashid, known for his vocal stance on Kashmir’s autonomy, wasted no time in reigniting his political campaign against the current government’s policies in the region.
Addressing the media post-release, Rashid criticized the Modi government’s handling of Jammu & Kashmir, particularly the abrogation of Article 370, which stripped the region of its special status. He declared his intent to fight what he termed as a “false narrative” of development and progress in Kashmir under the “Naya Kashmir” initiative, which has been promoted by the central government since the reorganization of the erstwhile state in 2019.
Rashid accused the administration of suppressing dissent and failing to address the real concerns of the Kashmiri people, including unemployment and political alienation. He also called for the restoration of the region’s autonomy, stating that any progress in Jammu & Kashmir must be led by the people themselves, rather than through centralized policies imposed by New Delhi.
Engineer Rashid, who was detained in 2019 under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA), gained popularity for his strong pro-Kashmir stance and criticism of both the Indian government and regional political parties. With his release, his return to the political scene could add to the growing voices challenging the central government’s approach to the region.
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