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Waheed Para

Waheed ur Rehman Para (وحید اررحمان پارہ) is an Indian politician of Jammu and Kashmir People's Democratic Party and member of the Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Assembly (MLA) representing Pulwama constituency.[1][2] Para also serves as PDP's Youth Wing President.[3] [4]

Waheed Para
Waheed Para
Member of Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Assembly
Incumbent
Assumed office
8 October, 2024
ConstituencyPulwama
Youth Wing President, Jammu and Kashmir Peoples Democratic Party
Incumbent
Assumed office
2013
Secretary Jammu and Kashmir State Sports Council
In office
July 2016 – July 2018
Personal details
Born24 September, 1988
Naira, Pulwama
Political partyJammu and Kashmir Peoples Democratic Party
EducationMasters in IR (Peace & Conflict Studies)
Alma materBoston University, Islamic University of Science & Technology

Born and raised in Naira village of South Kashmir's Pulwama district. After being associated informally with the Jammu and Kashmir People's Democratic Party since his school days in 2002, he joined it officially in 2013 and was subsequently appointed its youth wing president.[5] In the following years, he served as the political analyst to then J&K CM Mufti Mohammad Sayeed in 2015 [6] and as secretary J&K Sports Council from 2016 to 2018.[7]

Para contested the 2024 Indian general election from the Srinagar Parliamentary Constituency as a candidate of the PDP securing the runner up position with 1 lakh 68 thousand votes.[8][9][10]

He was arrested by National Investigation Agency on 25 November 2020 for alleged terror links,[11][12] and was again rearrested by J&K Police after receiving bail from Special NIA Court.[13][14] Waheed was released on bail by the Jammu and Kashmir High Court in May 2022,[15][16][17] and was also selected as the inaugural Yale Peace Fellow at Yale University’s International Leadership Center in 2023.[18][19]

Political Career

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Waheed had been informally associated with Jammu and Kashmir People's Democratic Party since 2002 but formally joined the party in 2013 and was subsequently appointed the Youth Wing President of the party. [5]

Under then J&K CM Mufti Mohammad Sayeed, he served as his political analyst, and was later appointed the Secretary of Jammu and Kashmir State Sports Council from July 2016 to 2018.[20] He took part in 2015 UNCCC, held in Paris, as a special representative from the state of J&K In 2018.[21] Waheed had also survived an attack on his life after terrorists closely fired at his vehicle in Central Kashmir's Budgam district.[22][23][24]

Following arrest by the National Investigation Agency,[25][26] he won the DDC Elections, 2020 from Pulwama constituency while being under custody.[27][28][29][30] After remaining incarcerated at Srinagar's central jail for over 17 months, he was released after the Jammu and Kashmir High Court granted him bail and observed "The evidence as is gathered by the prosecution is too sketchy to be believed prima facie true, that too, with a view to deny bail to the appellant."[15][16][17][31]

Waheed has been an International Visitor Leadership Program (IVLP) fellow, and was amongst a couple of politicians invited by the U.S Government from India for the program. Para had also been invited for the Australia-India Youth Dialogue (AIYD) 2019, which is a track-two young leaders’ dialogue held every alternate year, but owing to his detention following 5th August 2019 was not allowed to attend the conference.[32] [33]

 
Waheed Para signing papers after taking oath in Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Assembly at Srinagar (2024)

Para contested the 2024 Indian general election from the Srinagar Parliamentary Constituency as a candidate of the PDP securing 1 lakh 68 thousand votes.[8][9][34][35][36][37][38] [10]

 
Waheed Para poses with the delegation of American Council of Young Political Leaders after an interaction at New Delhi (2016)

Waheed won the 2024 Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Assembly elections from Pulwama constituency, defeating his opponent with over 8 thousand votes and currently serves as the member of Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Assembly (MLA) representing Pulwama.[39][40][41].

Waheed became the first elected legislator to introduce a resolution to "Oppose the revocation of J&K's special status and the constitutional disempowerment caused by the J&K Reorganisation Act, 2019." The resolution further read, "strives for restoration of special status and all constitutional guarantees granted to Jammu and Kashmir in their original, pristine form" on the first day of Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Assembly's session at Srinagar.[42][43]

Detention

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Waheed was first arrested on 4th August 2019, as the Government of India moved to abrogate Article 370. Like other mainstream political leaders in the region, Parra was initially detained at the SKICC and the MLA's hostel in Srinagar, before being placed under house arrest.[44][45][46]

On 26th November 2020, two days after filing his nomination papers for the District Development Council (DDC) elections, Parra was arrested by the National Investigation Agency (NIA). Despite being in custody, he went on to win the DDC elections in 2020.[47][48][49][50]

 
J&K Police clear the way for PDP leader Waheed Para as he arrives to collect winning certificate at Pulwama (2024)

Shortly after being granted bail by the Special NIA Court in Jammu, Parra was re-arrested by the Jammu and Kashmir Police. [51] [52]

During his detention, he was reportedly subjected to harsh interrogation conditions, including being kept in freezing temperatures. Allegations of abusive interrogations lasting up to 12 hours surfaced, with Parra being questioned about his participation in a virtual meeting with United Nations Security Council members, where he had raised concerns regarding the Government of India’s actions in Jammu and Kashmir, its treatment of Muslim minorities, and border tensions with China. [53][54][55]

In July 2021, five Special Rapporteurs of the United Nations sought an official reply from the Government of India on reports of torture meted out to him. The report highlighted serious accusations, including the claim that "Para had been held in a dark underground cell at subzero temperatures, deprived of sleep, and subjected to physical abuse, including being kicked, slapped, beaten with rods, and hung upside down. His alleged ill-treatment was documented, and he was reportedly required to meet with medical professionals due to the severity of the torture."[56][57][58]

Waheed was eventually shifted to Srinagar's Central Jail, where he remained incarcerated for over 17 months. His release came after the High Court of Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh granted him bail, stating that the evidence presented by the prosecution was "too sketchy" to justify his continued detention. [59][60] [61]

 
Waheed Para addressing supporters at Jammu in 2018

Despite being granted bail, he was disallowed to accompany his cancer hit father for treatment outside Jammu and Kashmir alongside not being allowed to also accompany his 8 year old nephew for treatment at AIIMS Delhi in 2023 - 2024 after repeated pleas, both of whom expired in month's time from each other. [62][63][64]

  • Waheed Para during 2024 Lok Sabha election campaigning at Pulwama 
    Waheed Para during 2024 Lok Sabha election campaigning at Pulwama
  • Waheed Para poses with suppoters at a rally in Srinagar (2019) 
    Waheed Para poses with suppoters at a rally in Srinagar (2019)
  • Waheed Para addressing a crowd at Anantnag (2024) 
    Waheed Para addressing a crowd at Anantnag (2024)
  • Waheed Para after winning elections from Pulwama 
    Waheed Para after winning elections from Pulwama

References

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  1. ^ Kaul, Sumir (8 October 2024). "Pulwama erupts in joy as PDP's Waheed Para holds victory rally". ThePrint. Retrieved 8 October 2024.
  2. ^ "Pulwama, J&K Assembly Election Results 2024 Highlights: JKPDP's Waheed Ur Rehman Para defeats JKNC's Mohammad Khalil Band with 8148 votes". India Today. 8 October 2024. Retrieved 8 October 2024.
  3. ^ Zargar, Safwat (10 December 2023). "'Ours is the only Kashmir party under attack': Waheed Parra on the loneliness of the PDP". Scroll.in. Archived from the original on 2 February 2024. Retrieved 2 February 2024.
  4. ^ "Handed a second chance, Waheed Parra builds Pulwama campaign around 'healing J&K's pain'". The Indian Express. 5 September 2024. Retrieved 6 September 2024.
  5. ^ a b Raafi, Muhammad (17 May 2015). "Now, PDP Nominates Wahid Youth President, Formally". Kashmir Life. Archived from the original on 14 October 2022. Retrieved 2 February 2024.
  6. ^ Raafi, Muhammad (26 June 2015). "PDP's Youth President Appointed Political Analyst in CM's Office". Kashmir Life. Archived from the original on 2 February 2024. Retrieved 2 February 2024.
  7. ^ Network, KL News (22 June 2018). "Waheed Para resigns as Secretary Sports Council". Kashmir Life. Archived from the original on 2 February 2024. Retrieved 2 February 2024.
  8. ^ a b "Srinagar election results 2024 live updates: JKNC's Aga Syed Ruhullah Mehdi wins with over 1.8 lakh votes". The Times of India. 5 June 2024. ISSN 0971-8257. Archived from the original on 6 June 2024. Retrieved 4 July 2024.
  9. ^ a b Hussain, Ashiq (5 June 2024). "Mega win for Aga Ruhullah Mehdi as Srinagar reposes faith in NC". Hindustan Times. Archived from the original on 6 June 2024. Retrieved 6 June 2024.
  10. ^ a b "'Kashmir Needs A Huge Amnesty Programme For Everyone To Reclaim Their Lives': Waheed Para". Outlook India. 14 May 2024. Archived from the original on 18 May 2024. Retrieved 18 May 2024.
  11. ^ Singh, Peerzada Ashiq & Vijaita (25 November 2020). "NIA arrests PDP youth leader Waheed-ur-Rehman Parra for alleged links to the Hizbul Mujahideen". The Hindu. ISSN 0971-751X. Archived from the original on 2 February 2024. Retrieved 2 February 2024.
  12. ^ Ashiq, Peerzada (1 June 2021). "PDP's Parra arrested, faced abusive interrogations: UN rights body". The Hindu. ISSN 0971-751X. Archived from the original on 2 February 2024. Retrieved 2 February 2024.
  13. ^ PTI (11 January 2021). "PDP youth wing president Waheed Para arrested again over case on alleged terror nexus". ThePrint. Archived from the original on 2 February 2024. Retrieved 2 February 2024.
  14. ^ "Arrested, Denied Bail And Allegedly Tortured: The Story Of A Kashmiri Politician Who Had No Problem Being Indian". article-14.com. Archived from the original on 1 November 2023. Retrieved 2 February 2024.
  15. ^ a b "J&K HC Grants Bail to PDP Leader Waheed Para; Mehbooba, Lone Hail Decision". NewsClick. 25 May 2022. Retrieved 2 February 2024.
  16. ^ a b "Kashmir: J&K High Court grants bail to PDP leader Waheed Para". The Indian Express. 25 May 2022. Archived from the original on 2 February 2024. Retrieved 2 February 2024.
  17. ^ a b KNS (25 May 2022). "After nearly 2 years Waheed Parra granted bail by High Court". KNS. Archived from the original on 2 February 2024. Retrieved 2 February 2024.
  18. ^ Bureau, The Hindu (19 April 2023). "Jailed under UAPA,Yale University selects PDP leader Parra for International Leadership Center". The Hindu. ISSN 0971-751X. Archived from the original on 2 February 2024. Retrieved 2 February 2024. {{cite news}}: |last= has generic name (help)
  19. ^ Network, KL News (19 April 2023). "Waheed Para Is Yale University Peace Fellow 2023". Kashmir Life. Archived from the original on 2 February 2024. Retrieved 2 February 2024.
  20. ^ "Youth PDP President Waheed Para is New Secretary J&K Sports Council". www.crosstownnews.in. Archived from the original on 2 February 2024. Retrieved 2 February 2024.
  21. ^ Raafi, Muhammad (9 December 2015). "In France, PDP's Para Discusses Climate Change Effects on Kashmir". Kashmir Life. Archived from the original on 3 February 2024. Retrieved 3 February 2024.
  22. ^ "Unknown gunmen carried attack on PDP's Waheed Para". Only Kashmir. 14 August 2018. Archived from the original on 2 February 2024. Retrieved 2 February 2024.
  23. ^ "J-K: PDP youth president shot at in Budgam". The Indian Express. 15 August 2018. Archived from the original on 2 February 2024. Retrieved 2 February 2024.
  24. ^ "PDP Youth President Says He Was Shot At By Suspected Terrorists". NDTV.com. Archived from the original on 18 October 2022. Retrieved 2 February 2024.
  25. ^ Tripathi, Rahul (25 November 2020). "J&K: Ahead of first phase of DDC polls, NIA arrests PDP youth wing's Waheed Ur Rehman Para". The Economic Times. ISSN 0013-0389. Archived from the original on 3 February 2024. Retrieved 3 February 2024.
  26. ^ "PDP youth wing president Waheed Para arrested again". The Times of India. 11 January 2021. ISSN 0971-8257. Archived from the original on 3 February 2024. Retrieved 3 February 2024.
  27. ^ "Jailed PDP youth leader Waheed Para wins DDC election". The Economic Times. 22 December 2020. ISSN 0013-0389. Archived from the original on 18 October 2022. Retrieved 2 February 2024.
  28. ^ Javaid, Azaan (22 December 2020). "PDP youth leader Waheed Para, arrested under UAPA, wins J&K DDC poll from Pulwama". ThePrint. Archived from the original on 2 February 2024. Retrieved 2 February 2024.
  29. ^ "Jailed PDP Leader, Gupkar Alliance Candidate Waheed Para Wins J&K Local Polls". NDTV.com. Archived from the original on 14 October 2022. Retrieved 2 February 2024.
  30. ^ "J&K DDC election results: Waheed-Ur-Rehman Para, jailed PDP leader, wins; 'couldn't be prouder', says Mehbooba Mufti". Moneycontrol. 22 December 2020. Archived from the original on 2 February 2024. Retrieved 2 February 2024.
  31. ^ "Kashmiri leaders demand Waheed Para's release". Hindustan Times. 4 February 2022. Archived from the original on 19 October 2022. Retrieved 2 February 2024.
  32. ^ "Detained PDP Leader Unable to Attend Australia-India Youth Dialogue". The Wire. Retrieved 11 July 2024.
  33. ^ Sharma, Yashraj. "Despite prison, torture, this Kashmiri politician won't give up on India". Al Jazeera. Retrieved 20 September 2024.
  34. ^ "Press Trust Of India". www.ptinews.com. Archived from the original on 18 May 2024. Retrieved 18 May 2024.
  35. ^ Excelsior, Daily (13 May 2024). "Lok Sabha Polls | PDP Candidate Waheed Para Makes Big Claim, Says Violence In J&K "Reduced In Last 5 Years"". Daily Excelsior. Archived from the original on 18 May 2024. Retrieved 18 May 2024.
  36. ^ "'Chance to break your silence without fear': In Srinagar, PDP youth leader strikes a chord". The Indian Express. 7 May 2024. Archived from the original on 18 May 2024. Retrieved 18 May 2024.
  37. ^ Banerjee, Sanhati (21 April 2024). "'The election is an opportunity to end silence in Kashmir': Waheed-ur-Rehman Parra". Frontline. Archived from the original on 18 May 2024. Retrieved 18 May 2024.
  38. ^ Kumar, Raju (16 May 2024). "Srinagar Lok Sabha constituency: PDP candidate Waheed Para booked for violating Model Code of Conduct". www.indiatvnews.com. Archived from the original on 18 May 2024. Retrieved 18 May 2024.
  39. ^ "Pulwama Assembly Election Results 2024 LIVE: PDP gets huge boost! Waheed Para wins old guard vs new guard battle". Business Today. 8 October 2024. Retrieved 8 October 2024.
  40. ^ Kaul, Sumir (8 October 2024). "Pulwama erupts in joy as PDP's Waheed Para holds victory rally". ThePrint. Retrieved 8 October 2024.
  41. ^ "Pulwama, J&K Assembly Election Results 2024 Highlights: JKPDP's Waheed Ur Rehman Para defeats JKNC's Mohammad Khalil Band with 8148 votes". India Today. 8 October 2024. Retrieved 8 October 2024.
  42. ^ "Chaos in J&K Assembly 1st session over resolution against Article 370 abrogation". India Today. 4 November 2024. Retrieved 4 November 2024.
  43. ^ "PDP's Waheed Para moves resolution against abrogation of Article 370 in JK Assembly". The Economic Times. 4 November 2024. ISSN 0013-0389. Retrieved 4 November 2024.
  44. ^ "J&K: Detained leaders may be moved, admin billed over Rs 3 crore". The Indian Express. 7 November 2019. Retrieved 11 October 2024.
  45. ^ Javaid, Azaan (17 November 2019). "Angry Kashmiri politicians confront cops after security personnel 'body search' Sajad Lone". ThePrint. Retrieved 11 October 2024.
  46. ^ "J&K Leaders Sajjad Lone, Waheed Para Put Under House Arrest After Release". NDTV.com. Retrieved 11 October 2024.
  47. ^ Tripathi, Rahul (25 November 2020). "J&K: Ahead of first phase of DDC polls, NIA arrests PDP youth wing's Waheed Ur Rehman Para". The Economic Times. ISSN 0013-0389. Retrieved 11 October 2024.
  48. ^ Quint, The (11 January 2021). "Arrested After Bail, PDP Leader Waheed Para Remanded to Custody". TheQuint. Retrieved 11 October 2024.
  49. ^ "Jailed PDP youth leader Waheed Para wins DDC election". The Economic Times. 22 December 2020. ISSN 0013-0389. Retrieved 11 October 2024.
  50. ^ Javaid, Azaan (22 December 2020). "PDP youth leader Waheed Para, arrested under UAPA, wins J&K DDC poll from Pulwama". ThePrint. Retrieved 11 October 2024.
  51. ^ Quint, The (11 January 2021). "Arrested After Bail, PDP Leader Waheed Para Remanded to Custody". TheQuint. Retrieved 11 October 2024.
  52. ^ Network, KL News (30 December 2020). "CIK Raids Waheed Parra's Residence, Other Places In South Kashmir". Kashmir Life. Retrieved 11 October 2024.
  53. ^ "UN experts concerned over rights abuses in Kashmir". www.aa.com.tr. Retrieved 11 October 2024.
  54. ^ "After 18 Months Of Humiliation, Trauma In Jail, J&K's Waheed Parra Is Still A Unionist & A Candidate For Parliament". article-14.com. Retrieved 11 October 2024.
  55. ^ PTI (3 February 2021). "Arrested PDP leader Waheed Para being tortured to admit to false charges, alleges Mehbooba". ThePrint. Retrieved 11 October 2024.
  56. ^ Ashiq, Peerzada (1 June 2021). "PDP's Parra arrested, faced abusive interrogations: UN rights body". The Hindu. ISSN 0971-751X. Retrieved 11 October 2024.
  57. ^ Devadas, David (7 June 2021). "UN Eyes on Kashmir: Is Waheed Para Being Punished for Speaking Up?". TheQuint. Retrieved 11 October 2024.
  58. ^ Fareed, Rifat. "UN experts say Kashmir leader 'stripped naked, hung upside down'". Al Jazeera. Retrieved 11 October 2024.
  59. ^ Ashiq, Peerzada (25 May 2022). "PDP's Parra gets bail, Jammu and Kashmir parties welcome court order". The Hindu. ISSN 0971-751X. Retrieved 11 October 2024.
  60. ^ "Kashmir: J&K High Court grants bail to PDP leader Waheed Para". The Indian Express. 25 May 2022. Retrieved 11 October 2024.
  61. ^ Bharat, E. T. V. (25 May 2022). "PDP leader Waheed-ur-Rehman Para gets bail in militancy case". ETV Bharat News. Retrieved 11 October 2024.
  62. ^ Bench, Bar & (30 September 2023). "Srinagar court refuses to permit PDP leader Waheed Para to travel out of J&K for a year for ailing father's treatment". Bar and Bench - Indian Legal news. Retrieved 11 October 2024.
  63. ^ Bureau, The Hindu (29 September 2023). "Court denies permission to PDP leader Parra to accompany ailing father outside J&K". The Hindu. ISSN 0971-751X. Retrieved 11 October 2024. {{cite news}}: |last= has generic name (help)
  64. ^ "PDP leader Waheed Para seeks travel permission to visit ailing nephew in Delhi; NIA objects". The Indian Express. 16 January 2024. Retrieved 11 October 2024.
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