Farooq Abdullah appeals to Centre for jailed MP Rashid to meet ailing father

In a moment where humanity takes centre stage , National Conference president Farooq Abdullah has urged the Centre to allow jailed Lok Sabha MP Sheikh Abdul Rashid , widely known as Engineer Rashid, to meet his critically ill father .

Rashid, currently lodged in Tihar Jail since 2019 , was arrested under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act in a terror funding case . Investigating agencies have alleged that he was part of a network that received funds to support separatist and militant activities in Jammu and Kashmir. Despite being behind bars, Rashid went on to contest and win the Lok Sabha elections, making his case both legally complex and politically significant.

The immediate concern, however, is personal. Rashid’s father, Khazir Mohammad Sheikh, is undergoing intensive treatment in critical condition at SMHS Hospital in Srinagar. The family’s situation has prompted Abdullah to step in with an appeal that goes beyond political lines.

Calling it a purely humanitarian request , Abdullah urged authorities to adopt a “considerate and magnanimous approach.” He stressed that allowing the MP to be by his father’s bedside would reflect the values of dignity, empathy, and justice that a democracy must uphold.

Abdullah also pointed out that decisions taken on compassionate grounds do not weaken the law but instead strengthen the moral fabric of governance . He expressed hope that the Centre would act swiftly and facilitate necessary arrangements in view of the urgency.

As the situation unfolds, the focus now shifts to whether the authorities will make room for a humane exception within the legal framework , offering relief in a moment that is deeply personal yet publicly significant.