DR.FIAZ MAQBOOL FAZILI
In many societies, there exists a group of individuals who wield influence not necessarily through legitimate power or ethical means, but by virtue of their connections and ability to manipulate systems for personal gain. Our experience, along with stories passed down by elders, reveals that during previous elected governments in the Kashmir Valley, individuals commonly referred to as “Khadpench” often acted as the henchmen of political parties, behaved as if they held the keys to power. They wielded influence over promotions, postings, business success, contracts, and social prominence, acting with an air of authority that far exceeded their legitimate status. In the context of Kashmiri dialect, the term “Khadpench” or Khadpench raj,” I’m referring has no exact equivalent in English, using “Pseudo Pharaohs, Sycophants,Influencers ” interchangeably may indeed be not the best,” refers to individuals (party based or in civil society) who claim to have proximity to power corridors of administration and politicians. The emergence of “Khadpench,” or self-styled influential figures, is not a figment of imagination but rather a reality shaped by past experiences. The pseudo pharaohs in Kashmir have not risen recently in prominence “history dates to early 60’s past through that time electoral Governments, by crafting an image of influence, often through their connections to political power, bureaucratic circles, and wealthy business communities. These individuals, often affiliated with the ruling party, during past regimes have been known to frequent offices and hospitals, using their connections to threaten staff and even doctors to secure special attention and treatment.
“ You Rarely Live Twice As Mr. Omar Abdullah’s government navigates a challenging “Take Two ,” tenure, it oscillates between hope and the drive to bring meaningful change through a structured approach of “Re-Plan, Do, Check, and Act” (Re-PDCA) for more effective governance. Wishing him successful tenure , the mandate is a chance to learn from past missteps, focusing on integrity and genuinely serving the public’s interests, even when challenged. With a pledge to fairness, transparency, and a governance free from interference by influential figures and favouritism, the question remains: Can he curb the influence of pseudo-power players and truly deliver, or will their hold continue to hinder authentic progress? I would like to see a clear directive from the Chief Executive or Party President instructing party workers not to jump queues, bypass appointment schedules, or force their way into offices or doctors’ clinics, and to refrain from pressuring for preferential treatment.
Pseudo pharaohs thrive on creating a culture of sycophancy, where flatterers or payers are rewarded, while those who express dissent or maintain their independence are sidelined. Their modus operandi involves manipulating systems to place their loyalists in key positions, thus consolidating their power further. They behave as though they are the arbiters of people’s destinies, holding the power to decide who gets what position, promotion, or opportunity. Their sway over postings in government departments or key roles in organizations gives them a sense of entitlement to dictate how others should behave around them.
The Price of Flattery and Sycophancy! When power and opportunities are handed to flatterers and the submissive, it disheartens those striving for success through legitimate means and weakens institutions by filling them with people chosen for their loyalty to influential figures rather than their competence. This creates an atmosphere of intimidation and favouritism, eroding fairness and equal access to services. These individuals act as though they control others’ destinies, deciding who receives roles, promotions, and opportunities. Their influence over government and key organizational postings breeds entitlement, dictating how others should interact with them. Their modus operandi involves manipulating systems to place their loyalists in key positions, thus consolidating their power further. By strategically placing loyalists in crucial roles, they further consolidate power, making merit secondary and fostering a system plagued by favouritism and nepotism that obstructs the growth of capable and deserving talent.
The Mandate for Dismantling the Corrupt Power Structure:
Corruption goes beyond just money, gifts, or bribes; it also includes conflicts of interest and neglecting responsibilities. Failing to work diligently, causing unnecessary delays, or raising baseless objections are all forms of corruption that undermine integrity, efficacy and efficiency. Mr. Omar Abdullah’s government, elected through a broad mandate, now stands at a crossroads, tasked with fulfilling campaign promises of development ,accountability and stability as declared in the election manifesto. While voters may have chosen his party in hopes of good governance are closely observing how the government upholds the promises made in its election manifesto. Abdullah faces a dual challenge: on one hand, ensuring effective governance, and on the other, dismantling a decades-old system entrenched in patronage and nepotism. The influence of these so-called pseudo-pharaohs complicates his mission, as their sway undermines grassroots movements and erodes public trust in political institutions. For Abdullah, the task ahead extends beyond governance—it’s about restoring faith in the system itself.
Restraining And Challenging the Pseudo Pharaohs of the Valley: Challenging pseudo pharaohs demands a strong moral stance, often requiring sacrifices for the sake of principles. Strengthening institutions by robust accountability processes are necessary to prevent pseudo pharaohs from exerting their influence. There should be strict guidelines on transparency in decision-making processes, whether it is for public appointments, promotions, or business contracts. Prioritising people of integrity with high moral values in office and party this policy procedure is vital for preserving dignity and setting a positive example, fostering a culture that values ethical success over manipulation.
Integrity as a Form of Resistance: A culture of accountability along with proactive measures to combat corruption and nepotism must be instituted. Society also must challenge the structures that allow such individuals to amass undue influence and recognize that progress is only possible when merit, not manipulation, determines success. In contrast we do have plenty of upright individuals both in offices or at party level who can resist the allure of easy success offered by pseudo pharaohs need to be encouraged. Identifying, promoting and rewarding people of integrity by especially at key can create such role models for others to emulate, gradually diminishing the appeal of pseudo pharaohs and their way of operating pave a way for a good governance system.
Consequences of Silence, Manipulation, and Inaccessibility:
The media plays a crucial role in exposing how pseudo-pharaohs exploit systems for personal gain. Ethical investigative journalism can reveal hidden networks and highlight unethical practices. However, what happens when certain media houses or representatives themselves face allegations of compromised integrity? This troubling question arises when unsupervised social media users or opportunistic journalists(anyone with a microphone and cell phone) act as pseudo-pharaohs, enter hospitals even restricted areas indulge in unauthorised videography breach privacy of patients and staff ,and some media owners prioritize personal benefits over public service. This distorts reporting, presenting manipulated narratives to leaders like the Chief Minister and depriving them of accurate information for sound decision-making.
Where is the fourth estate—the watchdog of democracy—when it succumbs to such ethical failures? It’s baffling why any upright officer, minister, or legislator would fear a journalist or editor unless they have vulnerabilities to hide. Isn’t it essential for principled leaders to foster transparent and professional relationships with the media? This approach ensures accurate communication and prevents misinterpretations of their actions. Yet, compromising integrity to appease media influencers undermines public trust and genuine governance. Mechanisms must be established to counter distorted narratives, sensationalism, and biased reporting by unprofessional media outlets or individuals, particularly those close to key decision-makers.
The Path Forward: Praising the statement of Mr. Farooq Abdullah, President of the National Conference and former Chief Minister, he declared, “The era of gunda raj(lawlessness) is over. In Omar Abdullah’s government, people have the right to full transparency”. We also anticipate measures to curb sycophancy effectively.” The culture of sycophancy and the influence of pseudo-pharaohs—comprising “yes men/women,” Khadpench, influencers, and brokers—pose a significant threat to effective governance in Kashmir. However, their impact can be mitigated through strategic measures such as institutional reform, active civil society participation, appointing officers of integrity to key positions, and fostering a merit-based system. Building a more equitable society is a challenging but vital journey for the future of Kashmir and its people.
The Author besides being a Medical doctor at Mubarak hospital , is very active in positive perception management of various moral, social and religious issues. He can be reached at drfiazfazili@gmail.com & twitter
