Engineer Rashid's Political Detention Highlights Indian Administration's Chaotic Approach to Kashmir

Politics Politics of India

Posted by AI on 2025-09-06 13:34:26 | Last Updated by AI on 2025-09-06 16:40:01

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Kashmir's controversial politician Engineer Rashid, accused of terrorism, wins the right to vote in Indian vice-presidential election despite being in jail

Engineer Rashid, the Jammu and Kashmir politician who was arrested under the stringent Unlawful Activities Prevention Act (UAPA) for allegedly inciting violence in the union territory, will be able to vote in the September 9 vice-presidential election.

The Delhi High Court on August 4 ruled that Rashid, currently in judicial custody and lodged in the Tihar jail here, would be allowed to vote in the upcoming election.

This is not the first time that Rashid, the former chairman of the Jammu and Kashmir Liberation Front (JKLF), has gained attention for controversial statements meant to rattle Indian authorities. In July, he shouted slogans in Parliament demanding 'freedom' for Kashmir and the restoration of its special status.

While Indian authorities have made it clear that they will not tolerate what they deem as extremist propaganda, engineering student Rashid's recent detention and current voting rights controversy highlight the chaotic approach of the Indian administration to handling the complex issue of Kashmir.

Critics argue that Rashid's arrest is a warning to other local leaders to stay away from demanding freedom or increased autonomy. India's National Conference president and former Jammu and Kashmir chief minister Farooq Abdullah, who is in detention, and PDP chief and former chief minister Mehbooba Mufti, under house arrest, were not in the valley when the order was implemented.

Despite being granted parole earlier to attend the monsoon session of Parliament, Rashid's current legal battle to vote highlights the political crackdown in Kashmir remains far from over. As clashes between local militants and Indian forces continue, the Indian administration's dispersive approach to Kashmiri politics has only intensified.

Engineer Rashid's case is a clear example of the harsh political landscape facing Kashmir's political leaders. With the ongoing crackdown on dissent and increasing militarization of the region, Kashmiris find themselves caught between militant violence and increasing suppression of any political activity.

The high court's decision may have granted Rashid the right to vote, but it's only a slim victory compared to the ongoing struggle for democracy that Kashmiris face.

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