Shah Faesal is an Indian civil servant from the State of Jammu & Kashmir. In 2009, he became the first Kashmiri to top the Indian Civil Service Examination. He is much glorified youth icon for Kashmiri Muslim youth. By becoming an IAS officer he had paved the way for others in the Valley to follow his footsteps. But, his recent tweets and comments lay bare what’s inside his mind, alas!
Free Speech Champion?
An orientalist hatemonger hidden behind the veil of an educated, literate and moderate Muslim who calls India ‘Rapistan’.
Patriarchy+Population+Illiteracy+Alcohol+Porn+Technology+Anarchy = Rapistan!
— Shah Faesal (@shahfaesal) April 22, 2018
Action was taken against him for his this ill remark of the country he lives in, and more importantly, was serving to. For which he tried to defend himself by putting another tweet.
Love letter from my boss for my sarcastic tweet against rape-culture in South Asia.
The Irony here is that service rules with a colonial spirit are invoked in a democratic India to stifle the freedom of conscience.
I’m sharing this to underscore the need for a rule change. pic.twitter.com/ssT8HIKhIK— Shah Faesal (@shahfaesal) July 10, 2018
Sarcastic tweet, really? From his above mentioned tweet, it is evident that he was only talking about India and no other country. Because neither he mentioned any other country nor ‘stan’ is used as a suffix after entire South Asian region which comprises many sovereign and independent countries. Does he think we Indians are fools like Aazaadi brigade?
Well, I’m of a view that action should have been taken against him when he asked for a foreign intervention in Kashmir, which is problematic to the ongoing, recently stalled, dialogues between concerned parties, those are, India and Pakistan. And which is unlawful as per ‘Shimla Agreement‘.
This is what can happen if the world comes together to save humanity. Next assignment for @elonmusk should be Kashmir. https://t.co/qQFv8kWue2
— Shah Faesal (@shahfaesal) July 10, 2018
Let’s come to the point now. His supporting any government’s any policy would what the State least expect. His dissenting against any government policy, if by due process, could have been welcomed. But he chose the other, nasty I’d say, way to dissent, by going public, which is a breach of law.
Let’s see what the All India Service (Conduct) Rules, 1968 say.
“7. Criticism of Government.- No member of the Service shall, in any radio broadcast or communication over any public media or in any document published anonymously, pseudonymously or in his own name or in the name of any other person or in any communication to the press or in any public utterance, make any statement of fact or opinion,—(i.) Which has the effect of an adverse criticism of any current or recent policy or action of the Central Government or a State Government; (ii.) or which is capable of embarrassing the relations between the Central Government and any State Government; (iii.) or which is capable of embarrassing the relations between the Central Government and the Government of any Foreign State: provided that nothing in this rule shall apply to any statement made or views expressed by a member of the Service in his official capacity and in the due performance of the duties assigned to him. (GOI Instructions: D.P. & A.R. letter No. 11017/9/75—AIS(III), dated the 2nd March, 1976.)”
While his tweet calling India ‘Rapistan’ tarnishes image of our country being labeled ‘Rape Capital’ of world, his another tweet asking Elon Musk to intervene in Kashmir issue is a breach of law under clause (iii) of All India Service Conduct Rules. Shah Faesal embarrasses relations of India and Pakistan by asking for a third party intervention in Kashmir dispute.
A Politician In Making ?
His stand on Article 35A would have brought him more trouble had he still remained in service.
I would compare Article 35A to a marriage-deed/nikahnama. You repeal it and the relationship is over. Nothing will remain to be discussed afterwards.
— Shah Faesal (@shahfaesal) August 5, 2018
While there’s no dispute with Kashmir being integral part of India, Shah’s Twitter bravado viz Article 35A is an act of ostentatious behaviour, maybe, as a part of preparing ground for his debut in politics?
Everyone is in the knowledge of how politics is played out in Kashmir Valley since the times of Sheikh Abdullah. For Mufti and Abdullah dynasties, I’ve coined a term, which is, ‘Nationalists In New Delhi, Separatist In Sri Nagar’. If elaborated this phrase says politicians of Kashmir Valley when in power recites poems of motherland and sovereignty of India, but when they are out of power, they sing separatist songs to impress and win over Hurriyat votebank which paves way back to power.
Every sane and aware mind is in knowledge that in the name of saving preposterous ‘Kashmiriyat’, all Valley based politicians have done is political blackmailing. While in power they pledge to work for estranged and marginalized Kashmiris to bring them into mainstream society, but while in opposition they pledge to bring them ‘Aazaadi’, a separate autonomous State of Kashmir, independent from India and Pakistan.
I just wanted to know that, is this the same case with Shah Faesal too?
