KARACHI: Engineer Rashid, an independent Muslim lawmaker from Indian-occupied Kashmir, paid a tribute to Pakistan’s founder Muhammad Ali Jinnah for creating a separate country for the Muslims of sub-continent.

“I salute Mr Jinnah for his struggle,” Engineer Rashid, who was attacked by extremist group Hindu Sena in Mumbai today, told SAMAA in a telephonic interview.

Ink and mobil oil were thrown on Engineer Rashid at the Press Club in Delhi on Monday, days after he was beaten inside the Kashmir Assembly. This was the second attack on the MLA within a fortnight. The attack took place when the MLA was addressing a news conference in the capital.

“Given the current situation in India, where bans are being imposed on our food, I feel no hesitation to admit that Jinnah had done the right things for the Muslims of sub-continent,” he said.

“India is not ready to hear the truth. We want to resolve our issues with India peacefully, but New Delhi government is not ready to digest,” he said.

“We will continue our peaceful for our rights,” he added.

Rashid condemned the ink attack, questioning Indian claims of a being a democratic country.

To a question, he said that the Kashmir dispute was created by the Congress.

The lawmaker further said that one section of India had held the whole society hostage. – SAMAA