‘Our Politics Needs Disruption’, Says IAS Officer Shah Faesal

The Kashmiri IAS topper said he was resigning in protest against “marginalisation of Indian Muslims” in Kashmir.

2009 Kashmiri IAS topper Shah Faesal.

(Photo Courtesy: Facebook/Shah Faesal)

“This politics is presently fit for a very massive disruption. Our politics needs disruption. Honestly, I really want to do it. I think I can take those risks and try my best to represent people correctly,” said Kashmiri IAS officer Shah Faesal in an exclusive interview with NewsNviews, a local Kashmir news channel.

This comes at a time when the IAS officer on Wednesday, 9 January, announced on social media that he is resigning from his post and reports suggest that he is likely to join politics.

The civil services examination topper posted on Twitter and Facebook that he was resigning from IAS in protest against the “unabated killings” and “marginalisation of Indian Muslims” in Kashmir.

While Faesal did not disclose his future plans, a report on The Indian Express said he is likely to join the National Conference (NC). Reports also say that he may contest the 2019 elections from Kashmir’s Baramulla constituency.

National Conference Vice President and former Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah welcomed Faesal’s decision, and said “the bureaucracy’s loss is politics’ gain,” hinting at the possibility of his foray into politics.

According to CNN-News18, Faesal returned to India recently as a Fulbright fellow at the Harvard Kennedy School, following which, he decided to resign.

Faesal, a doctor by profession, was the managing director of the Jammu and Kashmir Power Development Corporation (JKPDC). Before that, he went to Harvard University in the US to pursue further studies, reported The Indian Express.

He is also the first person from Kashmir to top the civil services examination. He served in various posts, including that of Director of Education and Deputy Commissioner.

The bureaucrat has often been in the limelight for his outspoken statements. In July last year, he was rapped by the government for his tweet on rape culture in the country.

Faesal is also the first bureaucrat to join the debate on Article 35A, comparing the petition to challenge it to a “nikahnama,” reported The Indian Express

He will hold a press conference on Friday, 11 January, on his future course of action.

(With inputs from The Indian Express and CNN-News18)