Jailed Kashmiri leader Engineer Rashid seeks interim bail after Lok Sabha victory
Baramulla: Kashmiri politician Abdul Rashid Sheikh, popularly known as Engineer Rashid, who has been incarcerated since 2019 on terror-funding charges, has filed a plea in a Delhi court for interim bail. His move comes on the heels of his victory in the Baramulla Lok Sabha constituency, where he triumphed over former Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah.
Abdul Rashid Sheikh secured a remarkable win, garnering over 2 lakh votes more than his closest rival in the recently concluded Lok Sabha elections. Despite being behind bars, his political power has resonated deeply with voters in the region.
Article 99 of the Constitution mandates that every Member of Parliament must take an oath before the President before commencing their duties. Accordingly, Rashid's legal counsel, advocate Vikhyat Oberoi, has petitioned the court for interim bail or custody parole to enable his client to fulfill this constitutional obligation.
The matter was heard in the special Patiala House Court in Delhi, with arguments underway and further proceedings scheduled for the following day. The National Investigation Agency (NIA) is expected to respond to the application.
Rashid's unexpected electoral victory has sparked calls for his release from various quarters, including former J&K Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti and Communist Party of India (Marxist) leader Mohammed Yousuf Tarigami.
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AIITA welcomes Karnataka’s ban on obscene songs in school events
Bhatkal: The Karnataka unit of the All India Ideal Teachers Association (AIITA) has welcomed the Karnataka government’s decision to strictly ban school children from dancing to obscene songs during educational and cultural programmes in government, aided, and private schools across the state.
AIITA Karnataka State President M. R. Manvi congratulated the government for taking what he termed an important step to preserve the sanctity of education.
“Such decisions to safeguard the dignity of school children and uphold the values of education are the need of the hour. This rule should not be limited to government schools alone but must be strictly implemented in all private educational institutions as well,” he said.
He further urged the government to address other concerns within school programmes.
“The government should not only prohibit obscene dances in the name of school anniversaries, but also ensure that plays and dialogues that incite religious hatred are avoided. Schools should be centres of harmony, not platforms for spreading hatred,” he added.
According to a recent circular issued by the Department of School Education and Literacy, obscene dances are adversely affecting the mental health and moral values of students.
In this regard, schools have been advised to use songs that promote nationalism, positive thinking, the greatness of Kannada culture, and value-based traditions instead of inappropriate content during programmes.
The circular also emphasises that students should be dressed in decent attire.
AIITA also backed the department’s warning that disciplinary action would be taken against head teachers if such guidelines are violated. The association has further demanded that district Deputy Directors of Public Instruction strictly monitor the implementation of these rules.
