Sheikh Abdul Rashid, popularly known as Engineer Rashid, has declared he will undertake a hunger strike on November 28 while incarcerated in Tihar Jail. The jailed Member of Parliament is protesting against the continued detention of numerous Kashmiri prisoners who remain behind bars without formal charges or trials.
Political Prisoner Takes a Stand
The decision for the hunger strike comes as Engineer Rashid, who was elected as MP from Baramulla constituency, continues his own detention under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act. The protest is scheduled for November 28, 2023, and represents a significant escalation in his ongoing demands for justice and prisoner rights.
Through his legal counsel, Rashid has emphasized that his hunger strike aims to draw attention to what he describes as the "illegal detention" of countless Kashmiri youth and political prisoners. His protest underscores the growing concerns about prolonged incarcerations without trial in the region.
Legal Battle and Political Context
Engineer Rashid's situation presents a unique constitutional dilemma. Despite securing a decisive victory in the parliamentary elections from behind bars, he remains confined in Tihar Jail, unable to perform his parliamentary duties or represent his constituents directly.
His election victory while imprisoned sent shockwaves through the political establishment, demonstrating significant public support despite his incarceration. The hunger strike announcement adds another layer to the ongoing legal and political battle surrounding his case and the broader issue of Kashmiri detainees.
The timing of the protest is particularly significant as it occurs amid continued legal proceedings in his case. Rashid's legal team has been actively pursuing various legal avenues to secure his release and address the concerns he now plans to highlight through his hunger strike.
Broader Implications for Kashmiri Prisoners
The planned hunger strike brings renewed attention to the conditions and legal status of Kashmiri prisoners across various detention facilities. Human rights organizations have repeatedly raised concerns about extended detentions and the use of preventive laws in the region.
Engineer Rashid's protest on November 28 is expected to resonate beyond the walls of Tihar Jail, potentially igniting discussions about prisoner rights, due process, and the legal framework governing detentions in conflict-affected areas.
The hunger strike represents a non-violent form of protest that aligns with historical precedents of political prisoners using such methods to draw attention to their causes. However, it also raises concerns about the health and wellbeing of the incarcerated MP as he prepares to refuse food for his cause.
As November 28 approaches, all eyes will be on Tihar Jail and the response from authorities to this planned protest. The hunger strike could potentially influence ongoing legal discussions and bring renewed scrutiny to the cases of other Kashmiri prisoners whose situations mirror Rashid's concerns.
