Ex-IAS Officer Shah Faesal Launches Political Party in Kashmir

Srinagar: Former Indian Administrative Service officer Shah Faesal on Sunday launched his political party “Jammu and Kashmir Peoples’ Party” in Srinagar.

The launch ceremony was attended by hundreds of people. Among those who joined his party was former JNU Students Union leader, Shehla Rashid Shora.

Faesal, who quit the government in protests against the violence and killings in Kashmir, also released his party’s manifesto, highlighting that democracy would be their preferred political method and legislative process for resolution of all disputes, issue and problems in Jammu & Kashmir.

Addressing the press conference, Faesal said, "I welcome the people of Jammu and Kashmir who have come here to attend the ceremony. At first, I thought I will join a prominent political party of Kashmir valley, but their reaction towards me was very negative. So, I decided to launch my own political party which will be a new platform for Kashmir valley's youth." He added that he admired Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan and Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal for their political struggle.

The ex-IAS officer added that the people of Kashmir, especially youth were the main victims of the conflict. “They are the ones who get affected due to the violence. We must come forward and listen to their problems,” he added.

Without naming any political party, Faesal said several politicians who wanted him to join their parties spread rumours about him that ‘Faesal is planted by BJP and RSS’ which he said was not true, adding that was when he decided to establish his own party.

“I didn’t give up services, where I could have enjoyed many top posts to be their agent. I gave up to become the bridge between the public and the government,” said Faesal.

Talking about his political agenda, Shah said that like “other” political parties who have believed in dividing people in the name of religion, caste, colour and region to fetch votes, his party believes in unity and communal harmony. “We are open to people, from Pandits to every religious community in order to make Jammu and Kashmir complete,” Shah said.

He also mentioned that his party shall address the regional aspirations of the people of Jammu, Kashmir, Pir Panjal, Leh-Kargil, and Chenab Valley and ensure equitable regional development, access to and entitlement of national, state and regional and local resources.

On the ongoing conflict in  Kashmir, Faesal said his party would pursue a “peaceful resolution of the Kashmir problem as per the will and aspirations of the people of Jammu and Kashmir”. The party will attempt to bring about “sustainable peace” in the state by “making the people politically empowered, economically prosperous, socially emancipated, ethically evolved, culturally enlightened and environmentally conscious”.

Shah concluded his speech by saying that party would make sure that the fight against corruption became their foremost focus.

Former vice-president of Jawaharlal Nehru University Students Union, Shehla Rashid said the party’s main focus would be to address peoples’ problems.

Speaking about women of Kashmir, the student leader said “Women of Kashmir who lost their sons, husband, and fathers are yet to raise their voice, we are here to recognise such voices.”

She said the party shall focus on job creation to end the unemployment of educated people, skill development of youth and ensure transparency in the recruitment process.”

Shora is a Ph.D. student at the JNU and was vice-president of JNUSU in 2015-16. She was a member of the All India Students Association (AISA). She came into the limelight during the agitation calling for the release of JNUSU student leaders Kanhaiya Kumar, Umar Khalid and others who were arrested on charges of sedition in February 2016.