The opening day of the Budget Session of Parliament witnessed a symbolic gesture as Baramulla Member of Parliament Er Rashid attended the House wearing a traditional pheran, bringing Kashmiri cultural identity into the country’s highest democratic institution.
The move drew attention for its quiet yet powerful message, reflecting a strong sense of cultural pride, dignity, and an enduring connection with Kashmir. Observers noted that the pheran stood as a symbol of rooted identity, even amid personal and political constraints.
Reacting to the development, Awami Ittehad Party (AIP) Chief Spokesperson Inam Un Nabi said the gesture went beyond attire and represented self-respect and cultural assertion. “Er Rashid attending Parliament in a pheran is about preserving Kashmiri identity and dignity. Even in confinement, his roots remain visible,” he said in a statement.
Inam recalled that Er Rashid had previously challenged restrictions on wearing traditional attire by attending Assembly sessions in a pheran during his tenure as an MLA. He said the act reinforced the message that cultural identity cannot be imposed upon or diluted.
He added that Parliament, as a reflection of India’s diversity, must accommodate and respect such expressions, asserting that Kashmir’s heritage and voice continue to find representation within the Indian Parliament.
