The question Indian media would always ask Kashmiri panelists: who is your role model – Shah Faesal, Afzal Guru or Burhan Wani. Now Shah Faesal has answered the question himself by announcing his resignation from services, and seeking opinion from youth on how should he fulfil their dreams. Only Shah Faesal knows what is his ultimate goal, but his resignation has itself exposed the suffocation within the system. Shah Feasal is neither the first nor will be the last bureaucrat to give up the job. But the reasons he cited for his resignation have strengthened the voices that Muslims in general, and Kashmiris in particular, are living like second class citizens; facing discrimination everywhere and their rights bulldozed. People may question Shah Faseal’s wisdom, integrity and capacity to contribute for his people as a bureaucrat, but his resignation speaks volumes about the system. Anyway the real battle field to test Shah Faesal’s intentions, would be Kashmir. His next move will unfold many things of importance and interest. The rumors were there for last couple of years that Shah Faesal will join National Conference but when he resigned, he chose to play with the words and sought feedback through social media about his future discourse. Respectfully one may ask Shah Faesal if his home work was really not enough before leaving the job, or is he trying to gather attention from masses through powerful social media for reasons known to him. If he truly wants approval from the masses then it should not be difficult for him to take a call and start representing the sentiments and sacrifices of Kashmiris.
The other side of the story is that a leader leads masses, and doesn’t follow them; though a good leader always has self-confidence but discusses things with those whom he promises to represent. However, a true leader should have the courage to go against the tide. No one has a right to disrespect the sacrifice given by Shah Faesal but his next move would definitely have deep consequences not only for politics of J&K but the mindset of masses. God forbid if people feel stabbed yet again, or if Shah Faesal turns a failure, for whatever reason, the disappointment would be huge and irreparable. If he joins any political party which doesn’t believe in sentiments of masses or has a different view over the issues which Shah Faesal cited as a reason for his resignation, even a layman can ask Shah Faesal what was the fun of seeking opinion from the masses and befooling them. People will stop believing even saints and angles, and the era of chaos may emerge within the already fragmented and irrelevant mainstream politics. Shah Faesal has every right to choose his path but after raising the hopes and involving masses he has to respect them. He should not forget that he has done great favour to ill-fated Kashmiris by citing their miseries, by talking about state terrorism, delay in resolution to Kashmir dispute and many crucial issues as reason for his resignation but if his next move doesn’t prove that he means what he says, it will not only shake the faith of masses but his decision would be seen as yet another conspiracy against Kashmiris by New Delhi; even if it may not be the case. Whatever he decides, one thing he need not forget: to be a successful politician he will now have to face tougher times with Patwaris, Ghat Munshis, Forest Guards and Hawaldars to get pity issues of general public resolved.