Abrar Rashid, son of jailed Awami Ittehad Party Chief Engineer Rashid, on Friday called on the youth of south Kashmir to “change your fate”. He urged them to follow the example of north Kashmir’s “revolution” and rise in support of AIP.
Abrar made these remarks in Devsar while addressing reporters during his campaign for AIP candidate Dr Suhail Ahmad Bhat in the constituency.
He said, “The response from the youth, their mothers and sisters in north Kashmir is being echoed in Devsar. There is even greater love and respect here. The youth, elders and women have pledged their support for Engineer Rashid this time.”
When asked why many claim that Er Rashid’s success would be a win for separatists, Abrar said, “If Er Rashid is a separatist, then so are the youth of north Kashmir who voted for him. He has only asked for the promises made to us to be fulfilled. If Indian media labels him a separatist, they must accept that their system is failing.”
He said his father is a “prisoner of his life’s consensus”. “I have a democratic right and I am campaigning as a volunteer for the AIP candidates. Even if it costs my life or lands my family in jail alongside my father, I won’t compromise my conscience or our rights,” he remarked.
Regarding Er Rashid’s jail update, Abrar said, “My father hasn’t committed any crime. This is a politically motivated and fabricated case. He has spoken for the youth, the oppressed, for Kashmiris. That is why he has such widespread support. We are hopeful of his release and look forward to the next hearing on September 11.”
