Srinagar: IAS officer Shah Faesal the 2010 IAS topper and first Kashmiri to top the Indian Civil Services recently quit civil services to protest “injustice against Kashmiris”.
“My manifesto and joining any political party will come after talking to people at the grassroot level,” said former IAS officer Shah Faesal who wants to protest the injustice against Kashmiris in India.
Addressing a press conference in Srinagar on Friday, Faesal said he has decided to come forward to Kashmir’s cause and raise the Kashmir issue in a “proper” way, Newsclick reports.
“It’s now time to come forward and speak about the happenings and stop doing politics over the graves of youngsters. There are many taboos in Kashmir related to the ongoing conflict, and those need to be removed,” he said.
On his resignation, the 2010 batch IAS topper said it was a “small act of defiance” to remind the central government of its duties.
Speaking on Kashmiri Pandits, Faesal said all the political parties in power have failed to bring Pandits back to Kashmir.
He accused the political parties for “playing the communal game to fetch votes” in the region, and said that “people here must stand to keep such things out of Jammu & Kashmir.”
When asked about the administration, Faesal responded saying he would always be a proud member of the department and would do his best to serve the people of Kashmir.
“We must come on one platform and work together and speak out about the sufferings,” he said.
“I am a man from the system and I would be happy to change things by being in the system. Hurriyat doesn’t give me that opportunity as they don’t believe in electoral politics,” he said hinting towards the alleged offer from Hurriyat.
When asked if he has decided on to join any political party with rumours of him joining the National Conference, Faesal said so far he has not decided to join any particular party but former Chief Minister Omar Abdullah had always been his helping hand who has supported him.
He also said that the situation in the region is nothing but a government failure and that now is the time to “reimagine” politics in Kashmir.
When asked if he inspired by anyone in and around politics, he responded that he is impressed with the work of Prime Minister of Pakistan, Imran Khan, and Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal.