Jammu and Kashmir is politically instable state at northern cusp of India. The historical mistake of incomplete settlement of boundaries of erstwhile princely state is reflecting in security scenario of Kashmir. The extreme piles of so called mainstream backed by Indian union and that of extremists backed by Pakistan are running the roast amid worst ever security atmosphere of state. The Burhan episode and the subsequent events followed after this are seemingly pushing state in another spell of drastic violence of 90’s. With everything around us from CASO’s to Operation All Out. The postponement of Lok Sabha Elections no of times and the meagre participation of local community of Kashmir in Panchayat Elections speaks volumes. In this backdrop Officer or Steel Frame turned infamous Shah Faesal fished into troubled waters and announced surprise entry as an unsung hero. The politics of state is raught with state of crisis and now the entry of Faeasal dubbed as Icon in some corners is a hotbed issue of these days. The millions of questions debated these days in the Kashmir await satisfactory answers. Will he change fortunes of Kashmir? Will he become glowing star or yet another Junaid Matoo to change colors most often? How will he reconcile between opposition groups? How will he satisfy young generation filled with despair? Can rising flare of violence get simmering hand or just recent brushing of mere criticism and denial of harsh acts by security forces? However in recent statements the Man in Action just carried forward the same connotation of criticism and sloganeering without any glorified vision for the state.
The induction of Bureaucratic personality into political landscape of Kashmir has indeed brought hopes for violence ridden locality. The innovative style of crowd funding strategy by novice politician has gone down well with local population in a different manner. The reports if not marvelous for marquee project are at least satisfactory in wake of emerging reports of people loosing faith in politicians. It was mentioned that someone shared jewelry into account for better fortunes. There are various factors for success of this fresh shot by Shah Faesal albeit not the memory of year he topped civil service exam and won accolades from nook and cranny of valley. On the ist parameter there’s insurmountable rise in mistrust between local politicians and youth of valley. The ever widening gap between locality and politicians in the reporting incidences is daily meal in valley now. The new and recent episode of sloganeering during PDP MLA’S visit by locality showed steep wedge between people and local polticians. It’s to be noted here that Shopian district has never witnessed a visit by local MLA in aftermath of attack on MLA in Pulwama town by angry youth. Having said that the ist and foremost challenge in front of Faesal is to how to integrate youth into mainstream? The irony around community of valley is that he clocked the resignation around vicious civilian killing and tried to win hearts of Kashmir. But later he joined the same caravan who are habitual of massacres! The grapevine abuzz of his joining Hurriyat was discarded by him in notorious note of “ I am part of mainstream means I fully recognize centre state relationship in existing way”. This shrill voice has not gone down well with majority of youth who are so pessimistic about future of downtrodden kashmiris. They took the entry with “if not existing ones ,this one no matter “ Even some deem it as ploy of central Government to win hearts amid resounding alienation among youth of valley from mainstream parties. On one hand scholars, Drs , Engineers et Al are joining militancy who are glorified by thousands while on other entry of Dr and IAS into politics heats the atmosphere further. This parameter puts Shah Faesal in the same boat while confronting steep rise in support base of secessionist voices along length and breadth of valley. In layman’s terminology the euphoria around name of Dr Manan wani has to be waned to surpass the initial hiccups. Shah Feasel in this case has to start from home turf northern Kashmir with coincidence of same place of residence.
On the other side of this surprised landscape he has to break the past shackles and provide vision so desperately needed by state. The corruption, failed baggage of promises, rising unemployment, instability, erratic educational environment, insufficient private investment, Power project skirmishes with centre , SRO 202 , disruptive dialogue process , rise in regional aspirations et Al are but some of broad areas of concern where Feasel would be tested. He’s not respected much in the departments he served in his Administrative capacity. The shrill voice of EJAC chairman Quoom wani and the internal voices from JKPDC are reflection of mismanagement in his Administration. The politics is much more about secret accommodation than open skirmishes. So far the mere condemnation of barbaric Army Acts in Pulwama , support for abrogation of SRO 202 etc aren’t satisfactory in the eyes of people. Even Mehboob Beigh supports latter though charted by his own party while as Engineer Rashid is more vocal in former. Uptill now the vision is yet to be uncovered. There’s no such strategy shared by personality in question neither any clear roadmap how to deal with quoted issues. If it ever emerges innovative that’s fraught with nip and tuck issues confronted by other parties in power. Mehbooba Mufti granted clemency while coming in power with more stringent punishment for same cadre in the later period of her tenure. The hartals, Protest calendars, Stone pelting, Pellet raining etc have destabilized the security environment of state especially Kashmir. This environment heavily impacts education and employment generation opportunities. The complete shutdowns have pulled heavyweight on the private sector which curtails employment opportunities in the valley. This factor is more important than others while making fortunes in the polity of state. The vision document as if coming shall draw complete roadmap regarding the said issues if he has to drove the caravan with himself. There’s one more thing necessary for shah Faesal to draw a line between “what’s ideal to what’s real” the past rhetoric of charisma and popularity isn’t going to fetch results if not backed by any ideology. He needs to come clear on issues like centre state relationship, role of Hurriyat , Minority issues in country like Babri Masjid, Growing communalism etc. The issues regarding Pakistan interference and like has to be cleared before jumping to measure political success. Moreover the craze and support of one region as seen in North Kashmir would just provide him space as that of Engineer Rashid ( king in Langate to soldier in other constituencies) .
The Politics as desired by Plato is an art if not deemed for entrepreneur as dirty game. The artist must know the challenges and the prospects before issuing any solution statement to desired problems. The problems as expected are many along all dimensions. It needs a leader with vision and ideology with little mix of ideal and real understanding of ground for solution. By far the quoted parameters look blurred in the traced short journey of Shah Feasal. As is said the jumping itself denotes the moral and tactic of swimmer. The start of Administrator turned politician is obviously not sounding good when seen through realistic perspective. However it may be noted that there’s long way to get for him. His Administrative friction inspired in him a vision to take gamble by resignation and subsequent joining of politics with a new party. The conclusion seems in doldrums. The overall situation in Kashmir isn’t good for gamble as that of Shah Faesal . The politics in modern era is synonymous with pejorative abuse in the absurdities emerging in India . It’s rather described as business with good investment climate when repo rate is so cheap and hospitable. However we can collectively draw some noteworthy conclusions amid growing suspense of Big political gamble in contemporary era by Indian IAS officer. The Son’s hindsight is father’s far sight. The atmosphere may not be supportive, the entrepreneur need to guage parameters for successful business in the highly ever instable state of J&K. If not tread cautiously, he may emerge old wine in new bottle……
Shahid Majeed Mir can be reached at mirshahid363@gmail.com
