New Delhi: On custody, parole from Tihar Jail to attend two days of the Budget session in the house, Engineer Rashid, the newly elected Member of Parliament from Baramulla, made a powerful debut and raised concerns about recent civilian deaths in Jammu and Kashmir. In his maiden parliamentary speech, Rashid demanded an impartial investigation into the deaths of Waseem Ahmed Mir and Makhan Din allegedly killed by security forces. These deaths sparked outrage across the region with families targeting the army for its alleged role.

Rashid directly questioned the role of security forces in the death of Waseem Ahmed Mir, who was allegedly killed in army firing during a checkpoint encounter in Baramulla. He challenged the narrative surrounding the incident, asking, “Do our forces need Waseem Mir’s blood every day?”

He also demanded a probe into the alleged suicide of Makhan Din in Kathua, attributing it to police atrocities. His impassioned plea, “Our blood is not cheap. We have the right to live,” asserting that the Kashmiris should not be undervalued and demanded an open investigation into both deaths to check the role of the security forces.

Beyond the civilian deaths, Rashid brought attention to the hardships faced by residents of remote areas in north Kashmir, including Karna, Keran, and Machil. He described their struggle for survival, stating that they rely on “God’s blessings” for six months of the year. He urged the government to address their plight by constructing a tunnel to improve accessibility and connectivity to these regions. “They (people in Karna, Keran, and Machil) survive for six months on their own,” he said.

Rashid’s presence in Parliament is noteworthy given his current legal situation. Imprisoned in Tihar Jail since 2019 under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, he won the Baramulla seat in the 2024 Lok Sabha elections while incarcerated. His participation in the Budget session was made possible by a two-day custody parole granted by the Delhi High Court. The court imposed restrictions, prohibiting him from using the internet or speaking to the media during this period.