Respect past agreements, initiate dialogue in Kashmir: RJD MP Sudhakar Singh

“By not meaningfully engaging with the people of J&K, the Narendra Modi government is further deepening the sense of alienation,” RJD MP Sudhakar Singh said. File | Photo credit: The Hindu

Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) Member of Parliament (MP) Sudhakar Singh, who visited Engineer Rashid MP in Kashmir on Friday (May 29, 2026) to condole the death of his father, said that the past agreement made with Kashmir should be respected and dialogue should be initiated to resolve the issues.

MP Singh warned that any attempt to “police Kashmir may not help”. “All the rights and freedoms enjoyed by India’s 1.5 million people should be extended to the people of Kashmir. Turning Kashmir into a police state is not the way to go. All these commitments and agreements that form the basis of the relationship between New Delhi and the people of J&K should be respected and honored in letter and spirit,” MP Singh said.

Opting for a Srinagar-Delhi dialogue, MP Sigh said history shows that “dialogue solves all problems, especially those that have the potential to cause social unrest”. He said the people of Kashmir had “suffered immensely and their voices must be heard with sincerity, dignity and seriousness”.

“The Narendra Modi government by not meaningfully engaging with the people of J&K is furthering the sense of alienation. This government is not even ready to talk to its own people. I hope better sense prevails. The government needs to hold talks with MP Rashid and the people of Kashmir. The continued imprisonment of Rashid weakens the bridge between New Delhi and Kash so that he can immediately continue to serve the people of Rashi and Kash. The overwhelming majority in him she believed again,” said the RJD MP.

Mr Singh urged MP Rashid not to “give space”. “MP Rašíd believes in democracy. He won the election. I ask him not to leave the premises.”

Referring to the imprisonment of MP Rasheed, who is on parole to attend his father’s last rites, MP Singh said, “We even have leaders from Ladakh arrested by this government apart from Kashmir. Unfortunately, those who speak about human rights and democratic rights are imprisoned. Unfortunately, the law is being misused,” MP Singh said.

Mr. Singh, who met MP Rashid in North Kashmir’s Langat, offered condolences and expressed solidarity with the bereaved family. MP Umesh Bahubhai Patel was also in the parliamentary delegation. The MPs said there is no dearth of voices across the country who truly feel the pain and suffering of the people of J&K. “Democratic engagement and honest dialogue are essential for lasting peace and reconciliation in the region,” said MP Patel.

The visiting MPs also interacted with people from different walks of life and assured them that “people of India are not enemies of Kashmir”.

Published – 30 May 2026 05:03 IST