Shah Faesal seeks donations for ‘clean politics’ in Kashmir

Days after seeking the advice from the youth over his future course of action in politics, former IAS topper Shah Faesal on Wednesday hinted at floating an independent party. He launched a crowdfunding campaign for “clean politics and corruption-free administration” in Jammu and Kashmir.

The IAS topper from Kashmir and a medical degree holder was widely tipped to join the National Conference of former Jammu and Kashmir chief minister Omar Abdullah and contest the elections from the Baramulla parliamentary seat. He, however, now seems all set to float an independent party to “highlight the political deadlock in Jammu and Kashmir”.

“Be a part of this journey for clean politics and corruption-free administration in J&K. Support Shah Faesal with your small donations,” he tweeted, sharing a bank account number for contributions and said payments could also be made through e-wallet.

He had already ruled out joining any mainstream political party or the separatist Hurriyat Conference, saying his experience in governance cannot be used there.

In a Facebook post on Wednesday he wished to facilitate dialogue between people of various regions of the State – Jammu, Kashmir, Ladakh, Pir Panchal, and Chenab Valley so that an environment of amity and brotherhood can be built.

“I had never imagined that my small act of defiance to highlight political deadlock in Jammu and Kashmir would evoke such a response across the world. I had never thought that my dream of clean politics and corruption-free administration in J&K would take the shape of a public movement,” he said.

“Respecting the public sentiment, I have decided to chart my independent political journey,” he further stated, adding, “And now in this new phase of public service, my mission is to support the true cause of humanity, stand up for the poor, marginalized and dispossessed and speak up for injustices, wherever in this world, irrespective of caste, colour, region, and religion.”

Talking about his political vision for the trouble torn state, he said, “I imagine a politics where youth can lead the change and take charge of their future; I wish to partner with a new generation of young leaders who can stand up for human rights, environment, free speech and rule of law. My idea is to seek help from the people of India, build alliances with the Indian civil society and intellectual class to humanize the narrative around Kashmir conflict so that lasting peace can be achieved in J&K.”

“I believe that development and dignity must go together, and we have to work together for giving a sense of security, better education, healthcare, livelihoods, electricity and other civic amenities to people,” he further said, before adding that “This is a people’s movement and it will be funded by the people. People are the only agencies who will help this succeed.”

“Believe in me, be patient with me in this long and difficult journey and donate for this cause,” he remarked.

Faesal had resigned early this month to protest “unabated killings in Kashmir, and lack of any sincere reach-out from the Union government; the marginalisation and invisiblisation of around 200 million Indian Muslims at the hands of Hindutva forces reducing them to second-class citizens; insidious attacks on the special identity of J&K and growing culture of intolerance and hate in mainland India in the name of hypernationalism”.

Senior BJP leader and former deputy chief minister of Jammu and Kashmir, Kavinder Gupta, had recently alleged that Faesal may have got money from Pakistan.

Another senior party leader and Union minister Jitendra Singh had described his resignation Faesal displayed as “lack of conviction” on his part, saying that the former civil servant should have been “ready to condemn the act of terrorism”.