A sit-in protest at New Delhi's Jantar Mantar on Monday marks six years since the imprisonment of the leader of Awami Itehad Party (AIP) and Member of Parliament Abdul Rashid Sheikh, better known as 'Engineer Rashid'.
The demonstration has once again pushed the maverick politician from northern Kashmir into the spotlight.
His life story—from an engineer in government service to an elected Member of Parliament now sitting in jail—is one of sharp turns, dramatic successes and controversy.
Early life and career
Born in 1967 in Langate, Kupwara district, Rashid trained as an engineer and joined the Jammu and Kashmir Projects Construction Corporation (JKPCC) in the early 1990s.
Political journey
Rashid stepped into politics in 2008 when he contested the Assembly elections from Langate as an independent candidate.
Against the odds, he won, defeating established leaders from both the National Conference (NC) and the People’s Democratic Party (PDP).
His ability to relate to common people and his straightforward speaking style were two important reasons behind his win. Despite his claims that it was a struggle for rights enshrined in the Constitution, his politics frequently veered toward soft separatism.
He maintained his seat in 2014, solidifying his standing as a stand-alone political voice in Kashmir. That same year, he founded his own party—the Awami Itehad Party (AIP)—claiming it would represent the unheard voices of the Valley.
Politics and controversies
Rashid soon built a reputation as a maverick politician. He made bold statements, used street politics, and refused to filter his words. This made him popular with some, but also highly controversial.
One of his most talked-about incidents came in 2015 when he hosted a “beef party” at the MLA hostel in Srinagar to oppose the ban on beef. The move caused a storm, leading to his assault inside the Assembly by BJP legislators.
He often attacked mainstream parties, accusing them of betraying the people of Kashmir. His critics, however, saw him as a showman who thrived on creating drama to stay in the headlines.
Arrest and jailing
In August 2019, just before Article 370 was revoked, Rashid was arrested by the National Investigation Agency (NIA) in a money laundering case linked to alleged terror funding.
The NIA said it had evidence, but Rashid’s supporters argued that he was targeted because of his outspoken politics. Since then, he has remained in jail, with his bail pleas repeatedly rejected.
For his supporters, his detention became symbolic of what they called an “attack on democracy” because an elected representative was not allowed to carry out his duties.
Comeback in the 2024 elections
Despite being in prison, Rashid contested the 2024 Lok Sabha elections from Baramulla.
His campaign, run by his two young sons (supporters and activists), Abrar Rashid and Asrar Rashid, caught fire across northern Kashmir. He faced two of the region’s biggest names: Omar Abdullah of the National Conference and Sajad Lone of the People’s Conference.
Rashid defeated both, winning the Baramulla seat from behind bars. His victory shocked Abdullah and Lone.
Analysts saw his victory as a rejection of dynastic politics in Kashmir. However, the dominant view was that Rashid had won due to sympathy for being in jail.
Legal relief to allow Parliament attendance
After his victory, Rashid’s lawyers pushed for his release so he could attend parliamentary sessions.
Earlier this month, the Delhi High Court granted him temporary relief, allowing him to take part in the monsoon session under heavy security.
His supporters called it a partial win, saying that “the people’s mandate cannot be locked inside a prison".
A divisive figure who is impossible to ignore
Six years after his arrest, Rashid continues to divide opinion, viewed among supporters as a fearless leader, and by critics as reckless and provocative.
The protest at Jantar Mantar—where people held placards reading 'Prison walls cannot silence people’s mandate'—showed that his political influence remains alive.
Whether Rashid emerges to play an active role in Parliament or continues to battle legal cases, he has already made his mark as one of the most unconventional figures in Jammu and Kashmir’s political history.