Srinagar (Jammu and Kashmir): Shah Faesal, the IAS topper of the 2009 batch, who had resigned from politics a year after floating his own political party, Jammu and Kashmir People's Movement, said that he took the decision as he did not see himself doing much in the changed political circumstances.
After the revocation of Jammu and Kashmir's special status under Article 370 and its bifurcation into two union territories, Faesal like other mainstream politicians, was jailed and booked under the Public Safety Act. He was released 11 months later on June 3.
Since then, Faesal claims he is under house detention. To everyone's surprise, Faesal resigned from the presidentship of his one-and-a-half-year old party. In an interview with ETV Bharat's reporter Mir Farhat, Faesal said he now wants to move on with his life as he feels he cannot do much in the changed political circumstances.
Excerpts from the interview:
Q: What made you reconsider your decision only a year after joining politics?
I took a year to think about it. Times changed. After August 5 things aren't the way they were. I want to move on.
Q: Do you think post-August 5, scope for electoral politics is relegated to nothing as Kashmir-issue based narratives won't have any takers here. Is this which compelled you to turn back to your previous role?
Not at all. Electoral politics will always remain relevant. It's a democracy and at the end of the day people will run this place. But I don't see myself doing anything substantial in the changed political circumstances.
Read: Shah Faesal: From quitting bureaucracy to quitting politics
Q: Many people especially youth had seen a hope in you, both being in civil service and later joining politics. Now their hopes look dashed. Shouldn't they feel betrayed?
Youth who want to join civil services felt betrayed when I left and I'm sure many youngsters must have felt at this decision of mine. I feel sad about it.
Q: Many politicians who were jailed on August 4 last year said they were asked to sign a bond not to speak on the abrogation of Article 370. Did you sign it as you seem to have reconciled with the new political and governance order in Kashmir?
In PSA (Public Safety Act) there is no provision of bond. We were released unconditionally.
Q - Your resignation is yet to be accepted. Do you think you will be able to rejoin civil service or fly to Harvard for academics?
I have absolutely no idea as of now. I took the first step. I want to settle down finally. Did many experiments in life. And learnt my lessons.
Read: Shah Faesal resigns as president of party he floated last year
