Kupwara, Indian administered Jammu & Kashmir — The Awami Ittehad Party (AIP) has announced that its president, Engineer Rashid, currently incarcerated, plans to move a resolution in the upcoming session of India’s Parliament on Monday, demanding the restoration of full statehood for Jammu & Kashmir.
In a statement issued on Saturday, AIP chief spokesperson Inam-ul-Nabi said, “Despite being unjustly imprisoned, Engineer Rashid has not allowed the chains of incarceration to silence the voice of his people. He will continue to utilize every democratic platform available to uphold the aspirations and sentiments of the people of Jammu & Kashmir.”
The spokesperson added that the demand for statehood is not a concession but a constitutional right that was “unilaterally taken away” in 2019, referring to the revocation of Article 370 and the downgrading of Jammu & Kashmir from a state to a Union Territory.
“It is time for Parliament to correct this historical wrong,” Inam said. “Engineer Rashid’s resolution reflects the people’s yearning for dignity, democratic rights, and self-respect.”
The party emphasized that Rashid’s presence in Parliament is not merely symbolic, but rather an extension of his decades-long struggle for justice and meaningful representation.
Inam further noted, “His decision to move this resolution even from behind bars demonstrates that neither prison walls nor injustice can suppress the democratic spirit he embodies.”
The AIP also urged all political parties — particularly those claiming to represent Jammu & Kashmir — to support the resolution and stand for the restoration of constitutional guarantees and democratic institutions in the region.
Engineer Rashid, who was elected as Member of Parliament from the Baramulla constituency in the 2024 general elections, remains in jail facing charges under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act.
The resolution is expected to draw attention to the ongoing debate over political rights and autonomy in the disputed region, which continues to witness tensions amid competing state narratives from India and Pakistan.
This is a developing story. Updates will follow as more information becomes available.