Srinagar, Jan 10: Senior Congress leader P Chidambaram on Thursday termed the resignation of Shah Faesal, the first Kashmiri IAS topper, from the Indian Administrative Service (IAS) “sad”, saying the world will take note of his cry of anguish and defiance.
“Though sad, I salute Shah Faesal IAS (now resigned). Every word of his statement is true and is an indictment of the BJP government. The world will take note of his cry of anguish and defiance,” the former Finance Minister tweeted.
Chidambaram also referred to retired police officer Julio Ribeiro who led the Punjab Police during the insurgency.
“Not long ago, Ribeiro, the legendary police officer, said the same thing, but there was not a word of reassurance from the rulers. Such statements from our fellow citizens must make us hang our heads in regret and shame,” the leader added.
Faesal announced on Wednesday said he had quit the coveted service in protest against unabated killings in Jammu and Kashmir and against the marginalisation of Indian Muslims by the Hindutva forces, “reducing them to second class citizens”.
Meanwhile, Union minister Jitendra Singh said the resignation of Faesal displayed a “lack of conviction” on his part and that the former civil servant should have been “ready to condemn the act of terrorism”.
Singh’s rebuke was countered by National Conference vice president Omar Abdullah, who had, on Wednesday, welcomed Faesal to the “fold”.
Singh, who is the minister of state (independent charge) for the Ministry of Development of North Eastern Region, North East India, as well as minister of state for the Prime Minister’s Office, Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions, along with the departments of Atomic Energy and Space, spoke to ANI, addressing Faesal.
“You can’t enjoy protection of security forces against a potential attack and at the same time not be courageous enough to point at a terrorist and call him a terrorist but find a soft target in an Indian state which is tolerant and gives leverage to your expression,” Singh said.
Singh’s suggestion that Faesal has enjoyed a life free from the “violence of terrorism” was torn apart by Abdullah who pointed out on Twitter that the Faesal’s father had “died in the hands of militants.”
“Dr Sahib, Shah Faesal’s father was killed by militants but I don’t expect you to bother to educate yourself before you speak. No one more than Faesal knows the pain & suffering militancy & violence have brought upon Kashmir & its people,” Omar replied to Singh’s reaction.
After topping the 2009 civil services, Faesal was allotted the home cadre of Jammu and Kashmir. He served as District Magistrate, Director of School Education and Managing Director of the state-owned Power Development Corporation.
Rasheed offers a party berth
Srinagar, Jan 10: Former legislator and AIP chairman Er Rasheed on Thursday said that the resignation of IAS topper Shah Faesal showed that New Delhi was denying rights to Kashmiri people, even as he appealed him to ‘not let people down and prove his words’.
Addressing a press conference in Srinagar, Rasheed said that by quitting IAS, Faesal had “proved that sincere people can’t serve under corrupt political dispensation and is authentication of the fact that Kashmiris are being denied their rights and are facing worst state terrorism.”
He said the reasons given by Faesal for his resignation confirmed that New Delhi was treating J&K as a “colony” and that the Kashmiri officers especially hailing from majority community were facing discrimination and alienation within the system.
“…otherwise an IAS topper would never have been compelled to leave the job as he could have served more as a top class bureaucrat than as a politician.”
Rasheed said it was for Shah Faesal to decide how he can achieve his goal. “While Shah Faesal’s decision deserves respect, like-minded people must sincerely offer him cooperation and he should in return not disappoint those who have high hopes on him,” said Rasheed.
“Since Shah Faesal has condemned atrocities on Kashmiris and has talked about legitimate rights of his people, as such he knows better than anyone that people are seeking resolution to Kashmir dispute in accordance with UN resolutions, end to nepotism, corruption, VIP culture, misgovernance and dynasty rule, hence he must not ignore the popular sentiment and sacrifices of masses.”
While taking next step is Shah Faesal’s own choice, Rasheed said, his joining any party not with good track record will lead to confusions and the intentions of Shah Faesal will come under question mark.
Rasheed said that his party will like to offer Shah Faesal to join AIP or even if he floats his own party or contests parliamentary elections as an independent candidate “we will love to join hands with him, subject to the condition he will speak louder and with sincerity about sacrifices and sentiments of masses and will not collaborate with those who don’t believe in giving right to self-determination to Kashmiris.”
Rasheed reiterated that his party is ready to merge with or follow any party and work with any individual who sincerely believes in fighting an everlasting resolution to Kashmir dispute in its historic perspective.
