After the arbitrary move to abrogate Article 370, the govt has arrested Kashmiri leaders like Shah Faesal and placed choking restrictions on the Valley. Kashmir is an open-air prison now.
Waheed-ur-Rehman Para is youth president and spokesperson of the Jammu and Kashmir Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). Speaking with Rohit E David, Para discussed Imran Khan, Narendra Modi and Sajad Lone.
Debutante politician Shah Faesal spoke with Rohit E David on why he thinks J&K could have a separate PM, why India should talk to Imran Khan in Pakistan, and how AFSPA has not helped curb militancy.
The irony with political parties in Jammu & Kashmir right throughout history has been the failure of the leadership to stick to a core philosophy and to the values their parties represent. They often say one thing, then do exactly the opposite.
The sanctimony around 'the return of the Kashmiri Pandits' is just that: sanctimony. The locals are actually not unhappy they left. And the KPs, who know this, know they cannot return.
By endorsing the Hurriyat, a group of separatist-manipulators, Faesal has lost credibility for many. Should he be an elite neta now while poor Kashmiris are pushed to hurl stones on the streets?
Shah Faesal’s reasons for quitting the civil services might sound pious, but are crafty and economical with the truth. The best one can say upon his leaving the IAS is, good riddance.
There’s nothing wrong if a youth icon quits the civil services. But the lust for power shouldn’t be confused with the proverbial desire to 'serve the people'.
Kashmir’s iconic civil services officer sparked off a row after his ‘Rapistan’ tweet. But does being an IAS officer – and a Kashmiri – mean end of free speech?
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