New Delhi, Mar 12: Member of Parliament from Baramulla, Er Rashid, on Thursday accused the Centre and the Union Territory administration of failing the youth and economy of Jammu and Kashmir while masking the situation under a veil of “peace.”
Speaking during a parliamentary session, the independent MP, referred to government data, stating that while unemployment is a national crisis, J&K has been pushed to the top of the list. “Unemployment is the highest in the country, but in J&K, it is the highest. This is the government data; these are your own figures,” Er Rashid said.
He added, “You have found a very good way to end unemployment. Every month, our LG is terminating employees. Like removing poverty, removing unemployment by removing employees—this is a wonderful thing.”
The MP alleged that diplomatic trade policies have deliberately crippled Kashmir’s fruit industry. “Our fruit industry is our backbone. You claim that in the US trade deal, you did not touch the agricultural sector, that you did not allow entry to America. But the fruit is from Kashmir, and you have destroyed it. You allowed American fruit in and destroyed ours,” he charged.
Er Rashid cited the recent firing incident involving National Conference President Dr. Farooq Abdullah to question the safety of mainstream leaders and common citizens alike. “It is said there is peace in Kashmir. Tomorrow the world will know—Dear Speaker, our Chief Minister (Omar Abdullah), a very big leader, and his father Dr. Farooq Abdullah were shot at yesterday in broad daylight. Thank God he survived. When Dr. Farooq Abdullah is not safe there, where is the safety of our common man?” he questioned.
The parliamentarian attacked the government’s shifting stance on global powers. “Our government was against the Taliban, and now they are hugging them. You used to consider Iran your brother, but today, when the people of Kashmir are on the streets on the martyrdom of Ayatollah Khomeini, you are beating them up and putting them in jails. Please show some mercy,” he urged.
He further demanded clarity on the Iran-Israel conflict, asserting that Israel would never be a reliable friend to India. (KNS)
