August 10, 2026

People say Shehla Rashid, covering her head at the launch of a new political party in J&K is displaying her double standards in being an anti-establishment free bird at Jawaharlal Nehru University and being demure and traditionalist in Srinagar. They say this shows her hypocrisy.

People have been quick to seize upon the slogan Rashid used on her t-shirt at JNU which proudly proclaimed her to be “akeli, awara, azad” (single, loafer, free). They say that either that was a cleverly designed act to hog the limelight or the present traditional attire in Srinagar is an act to become politically acceptable in the predominantly Muslim Kashmir valley.

But other people point out that it is unfair to compare a person’s college days with his or her adult, working life. These people say that there is a rebel in most students which prospers in being anti-establishment. They say that what one does and how one behaves in college cannot be held against one when one starts one’s working life.

But some people also say that one’s character is shaped during one’s college days. If Rashid felt "akeli, awara, azad” then, it means she is a loner and cannot be a team player. If she were to ever apply for a job, it will be held against her. People ask why the same should not be held against her now that she is joining public life.