Political leaders across party lines have sought the release of Baramulla MP IR Rashid, who is currently incarcerated in Tihar Jail, with his ailing father Khazer Muhammad Sheikh fighting for his life in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) of Shri Maharaja Hari Singh Hospital (SMHS).
The Awami Ittihad Party (AIP) has already applied for bail for the jailed MP on compassionate grounds in the Patiala House court in New Delhi. Meanwhile, the hearing on the bail petition has been postponed to April 22.
Almost all senior leaders belonging to different political parties visited the hospital and inquired with doctors about the condition of Khazir Muhammad Sheikh, who is also the father of Khurshid Ahmed Sheikh, a lawmaker from Langit.
Over the past three or four days, the demand for the release of imprisoned engineer Rashid has gained momentum, with political parties of different ideologies, religious leaders, and members of civil society coming together.
In recent days, several prominent leaders visited the sick father at SMHS Hospital, expressing their solidarity with the family and strongly calling for Al-Rasheed’s temporary release. Among them, Mirwaiz Umar Farooq personally visited the hospital and made a heartfelt appeal, urging the Government of India to release Al-Rashid on “at least humanitarian grounds”, highlighting the emotional agony of separated families during these critical times.
Apni Party leader Syed Muhammad Altaf Bukhari also visited and described the situation as “extremely dangerous” and appealed to the Prime Minister and Home Minister to grant parole so that Rasheed can stay with his family during this difficult period.
Likewise, the head of the People’s Democratic Front, Hakim Mohamed Yassin, called for their immediate release, stating that it was “humane and morally justifiable” to allow a son to remain alongside his father, who is fighting for life. Senior leaders, including Bilal Jani Lone, also visited the hospital to inquire about the patient’s condition, reflecting a rare show of unity across political lines.
On the other hand, Minister of Health Sakina Itoo visited SMHS Hospital, reviewed the medical condition of the patient, Khader Muhammad Sheikh, and assured the family of full government support and the best possible treatment, emphasizing the seriousness of the situation.
PDP leader and MLA Pulwama Waheed Ur Rehman Parra also expressed solidarity with the family and highlighted the need for compassion in such circumstances.
AIP’s chief spokesperson and close aide to MP Rasheed, Inaam Nabi, said the overwhelming support from across the political, religious and social spheres reflects a collective conscience that transcends political differences. He said that despite Al-Rasheed raising his father’s serious condition in the parliament hall, the continued refusal of relief raises serious questions about humanitarian considerations in a democratic environment.
