Forced by various factors I enteredpolitics under compulsion. Many labeled me as a traitor for joining electoralpolitics, but I had a strong belief that there is no alternative to mainstreampolitics under changing scenario. Masses in Langate showed faith in me, becausethey knew me as a victim of circumstances.
Whatsoever I did for past ten years is an open book however I have no hesitation in confessing that I earned more foes than friends for the brand of politics I tried to establish and carry forward. I have been critical of the working of uniformed forces but my criticism has never been without a logic and reason. I have never said, before or after entering politics, that everyone wearing uniform is a criminal or has lust for blood.
I have openly praised many wearing uniform for their pro people actions, however, the system being brutal, and state oppression being used as a tool to suppress peaceful political voices ones conscience doesn’t allow adopting what is otherwise seen as a “norm”.
In a situation, where not only the wiser political and intellectual voices are choked but even the saner voices in army, police and other security agencies too stand sidelined, it was immoral and unethical for me as a people’s representative to accept any security from state.
How would I be comfortable speaking against those who would “protect” me? This would have been a case of worst hypocrisy. I didn’t accept a Govt. vehicle and many other perks and privileges, which I am otherwise entitled to, till late 2017. However, when circumstances forced me to sell my car to clear a loan, some friends insisted me to use a state car and I had to accept with a heavy heart.
I have never had any PSO till date but was surprised when Government recently claimed to have withdrawn my security! I was in fact many a time asked to take security like other legislators but I refused. However Govt. would put three to four cops around my residence of its own or would sometimes call a large contingent of police to restrict my movement.
The Govt. took the vehicle back, which I had accepted to use under compulsion after eight years of being elected to the Assembly, the day when security of Hurriyat leaders was withdrawn.
I don’t know what the Govt. wanted to achieve or communicate by the false propaganda and harassment but the least I could smell is that a section of political and state apparatus always wanted me to support some particular person or ideology that is against my belief and conviction.
I am among the few politicians whonever visited Pakistan but am still being accused of being a “Pak sympathizer”.For many I am an “Indian agent” or a “Pakistani proxy” but for me I am agent ofmy conscience and of those who wanted me to represent them without exploitingtheir sentiments. I always tried to speak for my conscience.
My biggest commitment for peace hasbeen vindicated by the fact that I didn’t accept a security cover, which hasbecome a status symbol for some “leaders”. I wanted to exhibit my commitment topeace and communicate that those who are seen as a threat by the masses cannotbe protectors of the leaders.
Repeating that people have a right tosee me through the prism they want but I stand for the resolution of KashmirIssue in light of the historical perspective of this seventy year olddispute.
It is for New Delhi to consider or rejectthe lessons taught by times but one thing has to be kept in mind that Kashmirisare not being provoked by Mirwaiz, Geelani, Yaseen Malik or anybody else, toseek resolution to dispute. So silencing a class of people by oppressivemeasures will not help.
The way Govt. is working indicatesthat even the “mainstream leaders” like me are not tolerable, but New Delhishould know that It hardly matters if Er. Rasheed remains in the show ofcontrolled democracy or not; the problem, until resolved, will remain there!
The short sighted people at the helmhave left little scope for saner voices but I am there to speak for my peopleeven if it may matter very little. I am there in the system at least for thereason to make Indian masses understand that your rulers and deep state don’ttolerate even its own democracy in J&K. Many may want me to leave thesystem but I will not, I will continue to expose India’s myth of democracy inJ&K.