An Article written by Kunwar Vijay Pratap Singh on "Kashmir issue: IAS topper & his resignation" published in THE DAILY WORLD, Chandigarh -----
This is in response to the resignation tendered by an IAS Officer of Kashmir Cadre..........
Main Points of the Article:
We come directly to the resignation tendered by the youth icon of Kashmir, the IAS topper of 2010 batch, Dr. Shah Faesal.
Joining politics is a separate matter. -------Every citizen has right to take part in the democratic system in a manner provided under the law. But leaving a service like IAS to serve political ambitions playing communal cards cannot be appreciated at all. -------
The IAS-IPS is not merely a job. This service provides enough opportunity to serve the people, to lead the society, to protect and preserve the diversity and to promote unity and integrity. ---------When you opt and join this premier service, you first perform and prove yourself and then you can enter into political field which is open for every citizen. -----
If there were discrimination or intolerance against any particular community, Mr. Faesal would not have been selected into IAS, let alone being the topper. India is the only country where people of all faith enjoy all benefits and constitutional guaranties without any discrimination. -----
I never missed any opportunity to visit Kashmir valley whenever deputed for any particular task or duty. I had been to Kupwara in 2014 nearly for a month during the last Assembly Elections in the capacity of election observer deputed by the Election Commission of India. I visited almost every nook and corner in this terror-affected district. I also went to Lolab Valley from where Mr. Faesal belongs. ---------
A marginalized second-class citizen cannot top the prestigious IAS examination conducted by UPSC. A second-class citizen cannot get Fulbright-Nehru Master's Fellowship at Harvard Kennedy School to pursue higher studies in America on full salary. --------
A person, who miserably failed to deliver in the public service, cannot succeed in the politics, the way he jumped into. People are wise enough to understand and distinguish between personal political ambitions and service motive. -----
I got an opportunity to visit ‘Triboni’ village in Tangdhar area near the LOC. This is the only village in Kupwara district where Sikhs are in majority. I spotted that area seeing the holy Nishan Sahib from very far. The occasion was martyrdom ceremony of Guru Tegh Bahadur ji. --------
They happily received me as it was a pleasant surprise for them also. They are living in that remote area on the LOC like true warriors. However, very hesitantly they shared their agony that this village will become like other villages in the coming years as the new generation is not inclined to settle in the village. The young generation prefers to settle in Jammu or Delhi because of prevailing communal tide and ongoing attitude of marginalization in every sphere of life.
The main issue in Kashmir valley is to tackle trans-border terrorism and to provide basic amenities to the citizens to bring them in the mainstream. If we reasonably utilize the development funds imparted by the central government, we will have beautiful destinations in our country better than what we see in Switzerland.
"agar firdaus bar-rū-e-zamīñ ast, hamīñ ast o hamīñ ast o hamīñ ast".
If there is a heaven on earth, it's here, it's here, it's here.
