On the eve of Shah Faesal’s resignation from IAS and joining state politics in 2019, I had issued a statement expressing my sorrow and disappointment, and cautioned him in joining state politics on the personal assessment of my long career, with very close association with leading politicians of all hues; in particular, my short stint in active politics after retirement. It is worthwhile to quote a portion of my statement as published by Kashmir Monitor dated January 14, 2019;
“Situations do change as change is inherent in Law of Nature. Faesal in future would have proved to be a source of strength and inspiration particularly for the youth of Kashmir. I wish him success in his future public life. But as abundant caution, I am not sure about his effective role in state politics. To become a member of elite service like IAS in the state is a real distinction but to become a member of a political party in the state is a common phenomenon. To me, state politics is borrowed from outside the boundaries of the state. Our political leaders have been found all along wavering at critical times to meet the aspirations of the people who, with all their sufferings, have unwaveringly trusted them and stood fast with them all along.
With more than three decades service in public affairs, I would very humbly plead with the state political leaders to have introspection of their past and evolve a common strategy for taking the state out of this quagmire of unending destruction, keeping in view what Moulana Rumi (RA) has said. “Service to the humanity excels you but self-deception is deprivation.”
“Har ke khidmat kard makhdoom shud
Har ke khud ra deed mehroom shud”
Now that Faesal has left the political field so shortly I presume, as his resignation has not been accepted so far, he should rejoin the service to serve the people, the state and the country with full dedication and devotion. Any decision taken in youthful exuberance can prove wrong at times but corrective measure as done by Faesal is highly appreciable.
Sheikh Ghulam Rasool is former Chief Secretary, Jammu and Kashmir Government