Dr Shah Faesal addressed his maiden rally as a politician in his native Kupwara district earlier this week, and dropped a bombshell by stating that he was in “jail for all these years” and “couldn’t do anything” for Kashmir.
Dr Faesal is the first IAS topper from Kashmir. Soon after he accomplished the feat he became a role model for the youth of Kashmir and was projected as an icon. After being posted in the state people had expected that he would be able to do something for them but after quitting his job he has acknowledged that “only political persons are at the top (of the system) and they don’t have a sense of responsibility.” (Greater Kashmir Feb 5, 2019).
Despite making it to the top Dr Faesal said goodbye to a comfortable life.
It seems during his stint as top bureaucrat he realized that system is not run by the people who burn midnight oil to reach on the top, and the real power rests with the politicians. He has given a valid and honest reason to join the politics by stating that he wants to be on the top. “My politics will be like that of Imran Khan and Arvind Kejiriwal. This generation of Kashmiris is not kissing hands of politicians. They are asking questions to the leaders. I feel proud when I see my youngsters asking their leaders about their wealth. Some have one house in Kashmir and another in Dubai, they have to answer,” said Dr Faesal in his maiden speech. (Greater Kashmir Feb 5, 2019).
Dr Faesal has announced his arrival on the political arena of Jammu and Kashmir by posing direct questions to the people who have been ruling the state for all these years. He has driven home a point that he is out to challenge their “hegemony” and he could prove to be a tough competitor. But he needs to bear it in mind that during all these years many leaders have appeared on the political arena of J&K and have also disappeared. He has to ensure that he shapes up his politics in such a way that he is able to make a difference. He has to prove his critics wrong by changing the very concept of the mainstream politics in Jammu and Kashmir.
People who have welcomed his decision to join the politics and have pledged support to him are hoping that he would really be able to make a difference and would ensure that he stays away from falling in New Delhi’s lap.
Kashmir needs leaders, who can pull people out from the quagmire of uncertainty and restore the sense of security. During the past thirty years whosoever ruled Jammu and Kashmir has not been able to do much for the people as New Delhi has not allowed them to spread their wings. Any politician who has tried to cross the line has been disempowered and turned into a fence sitter.
The biggest challenge for Dr Faesal is how he would handle the people sitting in Delhi. Just delivering fiery and emotional speeches won’t help his cause.
Dr Faesal in his maiden speech has made an attempt to drive home a point that only politicians can help the people as they are “powerful and mighty” but one question which many people want to ask him if it’s true then why politicians have failed to help their people during all these years and how come him joining the politics would make a big difference? He would have to answer all these questions and prove it to the people that he would be different from others. Dr Faesal has remained part of the system and has worked with the people who run the state. One bold assertion he has made that power rests with politicians but he has not spoken about who controls the politicians especially in Kashmir?
(Javaid Malik is Senior Editor Greater Kashmir)