Jailed Lok Sabha MP Sheikh Abdul Rashid, known as Engineer Rashid, will observe a two-day hunger strike in Tihar Jail from 10 am on October 1 to 10 am on October 3. This act coincides with Gandhi Jayanti as Rashid aims to highlight the enduring relevance of Mahatma Gandhi’s principles of non-violence amid growing global unrest.
Currently incarcerated in New Delhi’s Tihar Jail on charges related to terror funding, Rashid expressed his intentions in a handwritten letter addressed to the spirit of Gandhi, also forwarded to the Lok Sabha Speaker. He emphasized that the world finds itself in a “desperate need” of peace and posited that Gandhi’s teachings are more significant today than ever before.
“Nations continue to engage in violence while professing to pursue peace,” Rashid stated in his letter. He criticized the hypocrisy surrounding the discourse on non-violence, stating that those who vocalize Gandhi’s messages rarely align their actions with their words.
Rashid articulated his distress regarding the current state of affairs in Kashmir. He recalled Gandhi’s efforts to promote harmony during the tumult of Partition, asserting that Kashmir was once perceived as a “beacon of hope.” However, he lamented that today, Kashmiri people face branding as anti-national and communal, thus eroding their identity.
“Our legitimate political and human rights remain unaddressed,” Rashid asserted, highlighting the obstacles faced by Kashmiris. He noted that thousands suffer in silence due to the ongoing political turmoil, exacerbated by draconian policies that have plagued the region since 1989.
Rashid remarked on the plight of Kashmiri Pandits, recalling how Muslims historically protected them. He insisted that Tihar Jail has become a refuge for those seeking to embrace Gandhi’s vision of peaceful resistance. “Our commitment to non-violence is misconstrued as weakness,” he wrote, criticizing the evolving political landscape.
In his letter, Rashid condemned the current “divisive politics” and lamented that Gandhi’s ethos has transformed into what he terms “draconian policies.” The MP urged citizens to remember Gandhi’s message amidst the ongoing strife and division.
“I am certain your soul must be in a state of unrest while observing the plight and challenges faced by Kashmiris,” he wrote, alluding to the historical struggles endured by the Kashmiri populace.
He further emphasized, “Instead of fostering harmony, Muslims are unfairly labeled as outsiders. The real enemies of the nation are not those from outside but the ultranationalists within our borders who further the agenda against fellow citizens.”
Rashid’s hunger strike aims to awaken the nation to the significance of Gandhi’s principles ahead of Gandhi Jayanti. As India approaches this important anniversary, Rashid seeks to ignite a dialogue around peace and reconciliation.
His actions serve as a poignant reminder of the challenges in Jammu and Kashmir and the continuous struggle for recognition and rights within a fraught socio-political landscape.
