New Delhi, September 27: On Mahatma Gandhi’s birth anniversary, incarcerated Member of Parliament from Baramulla, Er Rashid, has written a deeply moving letter to the Father of the Nation, addressing him affectionately as “Bapu.” The letter, sent from Tihar Jail through the Speaker of the Lok Sabha, blends reverence for Gandhi’s ideals with anguish over Kashmir’s current reality.
AIP Chief Spokesman Inam Un Nabi made the letter public in which Er Rashid begins with a universal appeal: “Adab Bapu, please accept my best wishes on the eve of your birthday. Not only India but the entire world is in desperate need of peace.” He laments that while Gandhi’s philosophy of non-violence is more relevant than ever, nations across the globe directly or indirectly, continue to indulge in violence, even while claiming to fight for peace.
Criticizing the hollow invocations of Gandhi, he writes: “Almost every country willingly or unwillingly contributes to violence, but makes ridiculous claims of fighting for peace. Those who speak most of your message, Bapu, hardly match their words with deeds.”
Drawing on history, Er Rashid recalls Gandhi’s role during Partition: “When the subcontinent was burning in communal flames, Gandhi Ji saw Kashmir as a beacon of hope and harmony.” Linking it to the present, he adds with pain: “But as of now, we Kashmiris are being branded anti-national, Pak proxies, communal, stone-pelters, anti-Hindu, militants, radicals, what not.” The contrast, he suggests, is stark what was once a land that symbolized Gandhi’s hope has now been reduced to suspicion and stigma.
Reaffirming the dignity of faith, Er Rashid writes: “Being Islamist is an honour for every Muslim and no true Muslim can ever be radical.” In doing so, he invokes Gandhi’s lifelong insistence that faith and fraternity can never be equated with violence.
The MP goes on to highlight the misuse of draconian laws: “Those who speak against UAPA terrorism , prefer silence as they are scared of the law of the land. Thousands lie in graves, men in prisons lose their lives and thousands of us are in jails because of the misdeeds of Partition, for which nobody takes responsibility.”
Er Rashid also acknowledges the plight of Kashmiri Pandits and border residents: “Kashmiri Pandits, who by your own confession were protected by Kashmiri Muslims at the cost of their own lives, are still living as refugees. Men, women and children from border areas continue to live displaced lives near the LoC—second homes for those who cannot return.”
Condemning divisive politics, Er Rashid warns: “Your vision of non-violence has been replaced by draconian policies. Instead of harmony, Muslims are branded outsiders, with terms like ‘Baber ki Aulad’ legitimizing hate.” For him, Gandhi’s India has lost its moral compass.
The letter concludes with both symbolism and protest: “To remind the countrymen of the significance of your non-violence principle, I will observe two days hunger strike from 1st October 10 am to 3rd October 10 am in Tihar Jail.”
Reacting to the letter, AIP Chief Spokesperson Inam Un Nabi said: “Every line Er Rashid has written to Bapu is not just a tribute to Gandhi Ji, it is a mirror to our times. When Gandhi Ji could see Kashmir as a beacon of hope amidst Partition, why is it today that Kashmiris are only seen through the lens of suspicion? The letter reminds the nation that Gandhi’s legacy lies not in rituals or garlands, but in justice, peace and reconciliation.”
The letter suffused with pain and principle, stands as both a personal testimony and a national reminder. Gandhi’s message remains unfinished business in Kashmir and beyond. (Sources)
