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{{Use dmy dates|date=April 2019}}
{{EngvarB|date=April 2019}}
{{short description|Indian politician, physician and former civil servant}}
{{Infobox officeholder
| name = Shah Faesal
| image = The Prime Minister, Dr. Manmohan Singh congratulating Dr. Shah Faisal, the Civil Services topper for 2010 from Jammu & Kashmir, in New Delhi on May 26, 2010.jpg
| caption = Shah Faisal with PM Manmohan Singh
| birth_date = {{Birth date and age|df=y|1983|5|17}}
| birth_place = [[Sogam Lolab]], [[Kupwara]], [[Jammu and Kashmir (union territory)|Jammu and Kashmir]]<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.dnaindia.com/india/report-srinagar-doc-becomes-first-kashmiri-to-top-ias-1380054|title= Srinagar doc becomes first Kashmiri to top IAS|work=DNA|date=7 May 2010}}</ref>
| residence = Jammu and Kashmir
| death_date =
| death_place =
| nationality = [[India]]n
| profession = [[Politician]], [[social activist]], [[Physician|doctor]], [[bureaucrat]]
|alma_mater =
* [[Tyndale Biscoe School]]
* [[Sher-i-Kashmir Institute of Medical Sciences]], [[Srinagar]], Jammu and Kashmir
* Fulbright fellow at [[Harvard Kennedy School]]
| party = [[Jammu & Kashmir People's Movement]] (stepped down)
| website = {{url|jkpeoplesmovement.org}}
| office1 = Chairman of Jammu & Kashmir People's Movement
|term_start1 = 21 March 2019<ref name="faesalquit"/>
|term_end1 = 9 August 2020
|predecessor1 = ''position established''
|successor1 = [[Javaid Mustafa Mir]]
| office2 = Managing Director (J&K State Power Development Corporation)
|term_start2 = 18 October 2016
|term_end2 = 9 January 2019
|predecessor2 = Kifayat Rizvi<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.tribuneindia.com/news/community/cabinet-orders-reshuffle-of-bureaucrats/310075.html|title=Cabinet orders reshuffle of bureaucrats|date=16 October 2016|work=[[The Tribune (Chandigarh)|The Tribune]]|access-date=15 August 2020}}</ref>
|successor2 = Hirdesh Kumar<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.risingkashmir.com/news/jkspdcl-facing-hardships-without-md-342098.html|title=JKSPDCL facing hardships without MD|first1=Junaid|last1=Khatju|date=19 January 2019|work=[[Rising Kashmir]]|access-date=15 August 2020}}</ref>
| office3 = Director School Education (Kashmir)
|term_start3 = 22 August 2015
|term_end3 = 18 October 2016
|predecessor3= Showkat Ahmad Beigh
|successor3= Ajaz Ahmad Bhat
|office4 = Deputy Commissioner (Bandipora)
|term_start4 = 8 February 2014
|term_end4 = 22 August 2015
|predecessor4 = Mohammad Yousuf Zargar
|successor4 = Sajad Hussain Ganai
|office5 = Assistant Commissioner, Revenue (Pulwama)
|term_start5 = 16 August 2012
|term_end5 = 8 February 2014
|predecessor5 = Nasir Ahmad Lone
|successor5 = Syed Sajad Qadiri<ref>{{cite news|url=http://epaper.greaterkashmir.com/epaperpdf/1822014/1822014-md-hr-10.pdf|title=Shuffle in middle...|date=18 February 2014|work=[[Greater Kashmir]]|access-date=15 August 2020|page=10}}</ref>
| native_name_lang = ka
| honorific_prefix =
| parents = Ghulam Rasool Shah<br />Mubeena Shah
| spouse = Iram Rashid
| children = 1
}}

'''Shah Faesal''' (born 17 May 1983) is a former Indian politician and [[civil servant|bureaucrat]] from [[Jammu and Kashmir (state)|Jammu and Kashmir]]. In 2010, he became the first [[Kashmir]]i to place first in the [[Civil Services Examination|Indian Civil Services Examination]].<ref name=":6">{{Cite news|url=https://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/Shah-Faesal-is-first-Kashmiri-to-top-civil-services-exam/article16031688.ece|title=Shah Faesal is first Kashmiri to top civil services exam|last=Sarkar|first=Urvashi|date=7 May 2010|work=The Hindu|access-date=6 March 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190412070226/https://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/Shah-Faesal-is-first-Kashmiri-to-top-civil-services-exam/article16031688.ece|archive-date=12 April 2019|issn=0971-751X}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/life-style/spotlight/They-find-me-glamourous-Shah-Faesal/articleshow/6147405.cms|title=They find me glamourous: Shah Faesal|last=Sharma|first=Suruchi|date=14 February 2011|website=The Times of India|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190311140126/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/life-style/spotlight/They-find-me-glamourous-Shah-Faesal/articleshow/6147405.cms?|archive-date=11 March 2019|access-date=6 March 2019}}</ref><ref name=":4" /> He resigned from the Indian bureaucracy in protest on 9 January 2019, citing "unabated killings" in Kashmir among other things.<ref name=":0">{{cite web|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/ias-officer-shah-faesal-resigns-from-services-to-protest-killings-in-kashmir/articleshow/67454141.cms|title=IAS officer Shah Faesal resigns from services to 'protest killings' in Kashmir|date=9 January 2019|website=The Times of India|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190112191810/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com//india/ias-officer-shah-faesal-resigns-from-services-to-protest-killings-in-kashmir/articleshow/67454141.cms?|archive-date=12 January 2019|access-date=6 March 2019}}</ref><ref name=":3">{{Cite news|url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/other-states/who-is-shah-faesal/article26038530.ece|title=Who is Shah Faesal?|last=Ashiq|first=Peerzada|date=19 January 2019|work=The Hindu|access-date=6 March 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190325120608/https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/other-states/who-is-shah-faesal/article26038530.ece|archive-date=25 March 2019|issn=0971-751X}}</ref>

On 4 February 2019, Shah Faesal began his political life by giving a public speech in his hometown of [[Kupwara]].<ref name=":1">{{Cite news|url=https://www.tribuneindia.com/news/jammu-kashmir/shah-faesal-begins-political-journey/724028.html|title=Shah Faesal begins political journey|date=5 February 2019|work=The Tribune|access-date=6 March 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190307055524/https://www.tribuneindia.com/news/jammu-kashmir/shah-faesal-begins-political-journey/724028.html|archive-date=7 March 2019|others=Tribune News Service}}</ref><ref name=":2">{{cite web|url=https://www.outlookindia.com/website/story/india-news-kashmir-is-a-political-issue-can-be-resolved-through-dialogue-shah-faesal-in-his-first-public-rally/324884|title=Kashmir Is A Political Issue, Can Be Resolved Through Dialogue: Shah Faesal In His First Public Rally|last=Gangai|first=Naseer|date=4 February 2019|website=Outlook India|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190306235134/https://www.outlookindia.com/website/story/india-news-kashmir-is-a-political-issue-can-be-resolved-through-dialogue-shah-faesal-in-his-first-public-rally/324884|archive-date=6 March 2019|access-date=6 March 2019}}</ref> Shortly after on 16 March 2019 he announced that he would be launching his own political party, the [[Jammu & Kashmir People's Movement|Jammu and Kashmir People's Movement]] (JKPM).<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.tribuneindia.com/news/jammu-kashmir/shah-faesal-to-announce-party-s-name-this-week/741148.html|title=Shah Faesal to announce party's name this week|date=10 March 2019|work=The Tribune|access-date=11 March 2019}}</ref> He left politics on 10 August 2020 and quit the JKPM.<ref name="faesalquit">{{Cite news|url=https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/j-k-leader-shah-faesal-steps-down-from-top-post-of-his-party-2277167|title=16 Months On, J&K Bureaucrat-Turned-Politician Shah Faesal Quits Politics|date=10 August 2020|work=NDTV|access-date=11 August 2020}}</ref>

== Early life and education ==
Faesal Shah was born in the Sogam area of [[Lolab Valley]], located in [[Kupwara district]] of [[Jammu and Kashmir (union territory)|Jammu and Kashmir]]. His father, Ghulam Rasool Shah, was a teacher who was killed by militants in 2002.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.thehindu.com/opinion/editorial/kashmirs-new-allindia-elite/article3480620.ece|title=Kashmir's new all-India elite|date=2 June 2012|work=The Hindu|access-date=6 March 2019|issn=0971-751X}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.dnaindia.com/india/report-shah-faisal-s-feat-draws-accolades-from-pm-manmohan-singh-1393214|title=Shah Faisal's feat draws accolades from PM Manmohan Singh|date=7 June 2010|website=Daily News and Analysis|others=Press Trust of India|access-date=6 March 2019}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.indiatoday.in/india/story/shah-faesal-kashmir-pulwama-india-today-conclave-2019-1468789-2019-03-02|title=Waited for bombs to crash through our roofs: Shah Faesal's heartbreaking account of Kashmir panic|date=2 March 2019|website=India Today|access-date=11 March 2019}}</ref> Shah Faesal was 19 at the time.<ref name=":6" /> Not only was his father a teacher, but his mother, Mubeena Shah, as well as grandfather were teachers.<ref name=":4">{{cite web|url=https://www.theweek.in/columns/Mani-Shankar-Aiyar/2019/02/23/kashmirs-arvind-kejriwal.html|title=Kashmir's Arvind Kejriwal|last=Aiyar|first=Mani Shankar|date=23 February 2019|website=The Week|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190308152737/https://www.theweek.in/columns/Mani-Shankar-Aiyar/2019/02/23/kashmirs-arvind-kejriwal.html|archive-date=8 March 2019|access-date=11 March 2019}}</ref>

He is a 2008 batch graduate of the Jhelum Valley Medical College.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.iupsc.com/shah-faesal-upsc-civil-services-exam-2009-topper/|title=Shah Faisal: UPSC Civil Services Exam 2010 Topper |publisher=UPSC Topper|access-date=6 March 2019}}</ref> He holds an [[MBBS]] degree from [[Sher-i-Kashmir Institute of Medical Sciences]] (SKIMS), Srinagar as well as has a master's degree in Urdu.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://supremo.nic.in/ERSheetHtml.aspx?OffIDErhtml=17745&PageId= |title=Supremo |publisher=Supremo |date=17 May 1983 |accessdate=18 February 2019}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/ias-officer-shah-faesal-resigns-from-services-to-protest-killings-in-kashmir/articleshow/67454141.cms|title=IAS officer Shah Faesal resigns from services to 'protest killings' in Kashmir|website=The Times of India}}</ref> He finished MBBS at 26 and left IAS at 35. In 2018, he was a recipient of the [[Fulbright Program|Fulbright]]-Fellowship at [[John F. Kennedy School of Government|Harvard Kennedy School]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://in.usembassy.gov/fulbright-scholars-prepare-to-depart-for-the-u-s/|title=Fulbright Scholars Prepare to Depart for the U.S.|date=24 May 2018|website=U.S. Embassy & Consulates in India|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181001002727/https://in.usembassy.gov/fulbright-scholars-prepare-to-depart-for-the-u-s/|archive-date=1 October 2018|access-date=6 March 2019}}</ref>

== Bureaucrat career ==
Before cracking Civil Service exam, Faesal was the gold medalist at [[Sher-i-Kashmir Institute of Medical Sciences]] (SKIMS), [[Srinagar]], where he studied medicine.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.theweekendleader.com/|title=The Weekend Leader – Positive Stories from Around India of Unsung Heroes, Change Makers, Entrepreneurs, Startups, Innovators, Green Warriors|website=www.theweekendleader.com|language=en|access-date=2019-08-28}}</ref> In 2009, he became the first [[Kashmir]]i to get first place in the [[UPSC Civil Service Aptitude Test|UPSC]] civil services exam, which he also cleared on his first attempt. He was also the first candidate from Kashmir in several years to be selected to the [[Indian Administrative Service]] (IAS) through open merit.<ref name=":6" /> He was the fourth Muslim (after Independence) to top the civil service exam.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.iupsc.com/interview-shah-faesal-upsc-topper/|title=Interview with Shah Faisal, UPSC Topper 2010|website=iUPSC.com|others=Ritika Chopra, HT|access-date=6 March 2019}}</ref>

On 16 August 2012, Faisal was appointed as the assistant commissioner, revenue, of [[Pulwama district]].<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.dailyexcelsior.com/4-ias-officers-among-19-transferred/|title=4 IAS officers among 19 transferred|date=17 August 2012|work=[[Daily Excelsior]]|access-date=15 August 2020}}</ref> he was transferred to the [[Deputy commissioner#India|deputy commissioner]] of [[Bandipora district]] on 8 February 2014.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.outlookindia.com/newswire/story/23-ias-ips-ifs-officers-among-55-transferred-in-jk/828151|title=23 IAS, IPS, IFS Officers Among 55 Transferred in J&K|date=8 February 2014|work=[[Greater Kashmir]]|access-date=14 August 2020}}</ref> He was transferred to the position of Director School Education, Kashmir, on 22 August 2015, replacing Showkat Ahmad Beigh. Sajad Hussain Ganai replaced him as deputy commissioner of Bandipora.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.greaterkashmir.com/news/kashmir/govt-orders-transfers-in-administration-3/|title=Govt orders transfers in administration|date=22 August 2015|work=[[Greater Kashmir]]|access-date=14 August 2020}}</ref> Faesal on 26 March 2016 was temporarily given the additional charge of the vice-chairman of J&K Lakes and Waterways Development Authority while Sarmad Hafeez had been sent to [[Hyderabad]] for the IAS Induction Training Programme.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.greaterkashmir.com/news/kashmir/dheeraj-gets-charge-of-pdc-shah-faesal-gets-lawda/|title=Dheeraj gets charge of PDC; Shah Faesal gets LAWDA|date=27 March 2016|work=[[Greater Kashmir]]|access-date=15 August 2020}}</ref>

During his stint as director of school education, he faced a months-long shutdown of schools during the [[2016 Kashmir unrest]], causing him to sarcastically post on [[Facebook]] that he needed a job, which invited varied comments.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.deccanchronicle.com/nation/in-other-news/081016/kashmir-school-education-directors-fb-post-draws-sharp-reaction.html|title=Kashmir School Education Director's FB post draws sharp reaction|date=8 October 2016|work=[[Deccan Chronicle]]|access-date=15 August 2020}}</ref> Ajaz Ahmad Bhat took over the charge from him on 18 October 2016, after he had been transferred to J&K State Power Development Corporation and made its managing director.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.greaterkashmir.com/news/kashmir/ajaz-takes-over-as-director-school-education/|title=Ajaz takes over as Director School Education|date=18 October 2016|work=[[Greater Kashmir]]|access-date=15 August 2020}}</ref> He was transferred from his post to that of an administrative secretary to the state tourism department in May 2018, however was later asked to remain on his current post.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://risingkashmir.in/news/shah-faesal-to-continue-as-md-jk-state-power-dev-corpn|title=Shah Faesal to continue as MD J&K State Power Dev Corpn|date=9 May 2018|work=[[Rising Kashmir]]|access-date=15 August 2020}}</ref>

Faesal also received the [[Fulbright Program|Fulbright-Nehru Masters's Fellowship]] in May 2018 to study at the [[Harvard Kennedy School]].<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.tribuneindia.com/news/archive/j-k/ias-topper-faesal-lit-hope-in-many-ruffled-some-feathers-too-711314|title=IAS topper Faesal lit hope in many, ruffled some feathers too|date=10 January 2019|work=[[The Tribune (Chandigarh)|The Tribune]]|first=Azhar|last=Qadri|access-date=15 August 2020}}</ref> He resigned from the IAS on 9 January 2019 citing "unabated killings" in Kashmir among other things, announcing the resignation through a Facebook post.<ref name=":0" /> He was also generally disillusioned with his role as a bureaucrat, which included jailing people and imposing curfews.<ref name=":4" />

== Political career ==

On 4 February 2019, Faesal Shah began his political life by giving a public speech in his hometown of [[Kupwara]].<ref name=":1" /><ref name=":2" /> During this speech he compared his experience in the IAS with feeling like having "spent the last 10 years in a jail."<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/spent-the-last-10-years-in-a-jail-says-ex-ias-officer-shah-faesal-about-his-tenure/story-4Qm0yH1Ji5dvt4xo31Et9N.html|title=Spent the last 10 years in a jail, says ex-IAS officer Shah Faesal about his tenure|last=Ehsan|first=Mir|date=5 February 2019|website=Hindustan Times|access-date=6 March 2019}}</ref> On 25 February 2019, he announced during a live debate on [[NDTV]] that he is launching his own political party and has already applied to the [[Election Commission of India|Election Commission]] regarding this.<ref name=":5">{{cite web|url=https://www.thequint.com/news/india/shah-faesal-announces-new-political-party-jammu-and-kashmir|title=Ex-IAS Officer Shah Faesal Announces He's Forming a New Party|date=26 February 2019|website=The Quint|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190226143628/https://www.thequint.com/news/india/shah-faesal-announces-new-political-party-jammu-and-kashmir|archive-date=26 February 2019|access-date=6 March 2019}}</ref> On 16 March 2019 he announced through Facebook that he would be launching his own political party on 17 March, the Jammu & Kashmir Peoples' Movement (JKPM), at a football ground in [[Rajbagh]] area, [[Srinagar]].<ref name=":7">{{Cite news|url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/former-ias-officer-shah-faesal-to-launch-political-party-tomorrow/article26554852.ece|title=Former IAS officer Shah Faesal to launch political party|last=Ashiq|first=Peerzada|date=16 March 2019|work=The Hindu|access-date=16 March 2019|issn=0971-751X}}</ref>

Faesal formed the JKPM on 21 March and stated it would provide a political platform to the youth as well as veteran politicians with a clean image.<ref name="faesalquit"/> He later announced that it will not contest the [[2019 Indian general election]] to focus more on outreach, and encouraged people to vote for the right politicians. He also said the party would focus on safeguarding [[Article 370 of the Indian Constitution|Article 370]] and [[Article 35A of the Constitution of India]].<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/lok-sabha-elections/ex-ias-officer-shah-faesal-s-party-not-to-contest-lok-sabha-elections-urges-people-to-vote/story-CJtJNhVVXjHMmOLatJRgDO.html|title=Ex-IAS officer Shah Faesal's party not to contest Lok Sabha elections, urges people to vote|date=23 March 2019|work= Hindustan Times|access-date=15 August 2020}}</ref> On 18 June, he and [[Engineer Rashid]] announced that their parties, JKPM and Awami Ittehad Party, will be entering into a political alliance called [[Peoples United Front]]. The main points of its agenda were the resolution of the [[Kashmir dispute]] based on the wishes of [[Kashmiris]], peaceful relations between India and [[Pakistan]], protecting the state's special status, return of [[Kashmiri Pandits]] and release of all politicians from detention.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/jammu-and-kashmir-gets-first-pre-poll-alliance-in-run-up-to-assembly-polls-2055473|title=Jammu And Kashmir Gets First Pre-Poll Alliance In Run-Up To Assembly Polls|work=Press Trust of India|publisher=NDTV|access-date=11 August 2020}}</ref>

Faesal was one of the political leaders detained after the [[revocation of the special status of Jammu and Kashmir]]. As he tried to take a flight to [[Turkey]] on 14 August 2019, he was stopped and later taken into [[Preventive detention#India|preventive detention]].<ref name=":8">{{Cite news|url=https://www.greaterkashmir.com/news/front-page-2/day-after-his-release-shah-faesal-put-under-house-arrest/|title=Day after his release, Shah Faesal put under house arrest|last=Naqushbandi|first=Ubeer|date=4 June 2020|work=Greater Kashmir|access-date=11 August 2020}}</ref> He was first kept at the Centaur Hotel in Srinagar and then shifted to the MLA hostel where he spent the next six months.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/j-k-leader-shah-faesal-booked-under-public-safety-act/story-Ge0UZ74IRtxKE5vg6mZhDI.html|title=J-K leader Shah Faesal booked under Public Safety Act|first=Mir|last=Ehsan|date=15 February 2020|accessdate=15 February 2020|publisher=[[Hindustan Times]]}}</ref>

Faesal later in August filed a [[habeas corpus]] plea before the [[Delhi High Court]], stating that he was going to the [[United States]] to complete his studies, but had been illegally detailed. The [[Government of Jammu and Kashmir|government of the union territory]] stated that he had no student visa, and upon being brought to [[Srinagar Airport]], provoked the people to protest against India. It additionally claimed that he had refused to guarantee that he won't create any such situation again if released.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/jk-govt-in-hc-defends-shah-faesals-detention-says-hes-not-in-unauthorised-custody/articleshow/70861587.cms|title=Faesal detained after he 'instigated' people against country in his address: J&K govt tells HC|date=27 August 2019|work=Press Trust of India|publisher=Times of India|access-date=11 August 2020}}</ref> The plea was withdrawn by his wife after she met him in September 2019.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.indiatoday.in/india/story/shah-faesal-withdraws-plea-from-delhi-hc-challenging-his-detention-1598341-2019-09-12|title=Shah Faesal withdraws plea from Delhi HC challenging his detention|date=12 September 2019|last=Mathur|first=Aneesha|publisher=India Today|access-date=11 August 2020}}</ref>

He was booked under the [[Jammu and Kashmir Public Safety Act, 1978|Public Safety Act]] in February 2020, being accused of subtly advocating separatism.<ref name=":8"/> The detention under PSA was extended by three months on 13 May.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://theprint.in/india/shah-faesals-detention-extended-by-3-months-under-psa/421137/|title=Shah Faesal's detention extended by 3 months under PSA|date=14 May 2020|work=The Print|access-date=11 August 2020}}</ref> On 3 June, PSA against Faesal was revoked<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/j-k-leader-shah-faesal-to-be-released-stringent-public-safety-act-revoked-2240071|title=J&K Leader Shah Faesal To Be Released, Stringent Public Safety Act Revoked|date=3 June 2020|work=NDTV|access-date=11 August 2020}}</ref> and he was released after a detention of 10 months.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/psa-against-shah-faesal-two-pdp-leaders-revoked/article31739402.ece|title=Shah Faesal, two PDP leaders released|work=The Hindu|first=Peerzada|last=Ashiq|date=3 June 2020|access-date=11 August 2020}}</ref> He was however put under [[house arrest]] on the very next day.<ref name=":8"/>

Faesal has also written for the ''[[Greater Kashmir]]'' newspaper and was a part of Jammu & Kashmir's [[Right to Information]] movement along with Dr. Raja Muzaffar Bhat.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://kashmirlife.net/curious-case-of-shah-faesal-issue-48-vol-11-224733/|title=Curious Case of Shah Faesal|date=4 March 2020|last=Bhat|first=Saima|work=Kashmir Life|access-date=11 August 2020}}</ref>

JKPM announced on 10 August 2020 that Faisal had told them he couldn't remain in politics any longer and asked to be relieved from being a member of the party, which they acceded to. Chairman Javaid Mustafa Mir was chosen as his replacement.

== Controversies ==
Faesal Shah wrote bold social media posts even as a bureaucrat.<ref>{{cite web|last=Iqbal|first=Naveed|date=12 February 2019|title=Jammu and Kashmir: With selfies, call for 'change', Shah Faesal takes first steps|url=https://indianexpress.com/elections/jammu-and-kashmir-with-selfies-call-for-change-shah-faesal-takes-first-steps-5578955/|url-status=live|access-date=11 March 2019|website=The Indian Express}}</ref> In July 2018, when he was a civil servant, he had posted a tweet, writing:
<blockquote>"Population +patriarchy +illiteracy +alcohol +porn +technology +anarchy = rapistan".<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.outlookindia.com/website/story/disciplinary-action-against-2010-ias-topper-for-rapistan-tweet/313333|title=J&K Govt Initiates Disciplinary Action Against 2010|date=11 July 2018|website=Outlook India|accessdate=11 March 2019}}</ref></blockquote>

People had said his tweet was in relation to India, but he had later clarified it was not.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.telegraphindia.com/india/ias-officer-shah-faesal-1st-kashmiri-to-top-civil-services-quits-citing-intolerance/cid/1681338|title=IAS officer Shah Faesal quits, citing intolerance|last=Raina|first=Muzaffar|date=10 January 2019|website=The Telegraph|location=Kolkota|access-date=11 March 2019}}</ref> However disciplinary action was taken by the Jammu and Kashmir government as well as the central government's [[Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions]] and the inquiry was still going on before his resignation.<ref name=":0" /><ref name=":3" />

During the [[2016 Kashmir unrest]], Faesal Rasool Shah had urged the national media not to use his pictures for drawing a comparison with [[Burhan Wani]], a Kashmiri militant and commander of [[Hizbul Mujahideen]]. During this episode he had threatened to resign through a Facebook post if such primetime propaganda did not stop.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/spare-me-kashmir-ias-topper-shah-faesal-threatens-to-resign-1431982|title=Spare Me: Kashmir IAS Topper Shah Faesal Threatens To Resign|date=16 July 2016|publisher=NDTV|others=IANS|access-date=11 March 2019}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.deccanchronicle.com/nation/current-affairs/160716/dont-compare-me-with-burhan-wani-kashmiri-ias-officer-to-media.html|title=Don't compare me with Burhan Wani: Kashmiri IAS officer to media|date=16 July 2016|website=Deccan Chronicle|access-date=11 March 2019}}</ref> In 2019, Hizbul Mujahideen circulated a poster warning people about Shah Faesal.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.dnaindia.com/india/report-hizbul-mujahideen-cautions-people-about-shah-faesal-2713587|title=Hizbul Mujahideen cautions people about Shah Faesal|date=30 January 2019|website=Daily News and Analysis (DNA)|access-date=11 March 2019}}</ref>

In February 2019, the [[Ministry of Home Affairs (India)|Ministry of Home Affairs]] withdrew the security cover of 155 people in Jammu and Kashmir, and this included Shah Faesal, who had until then had been provided security as a bureaucrat.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.outlookindia.com/website/story/india-news-security-of-shah-faesal-pdp-leader-withdrawn-by-jk-govt/325847|title=Govt Withdraws Security To 18 Separatist Leaders, 155 Politicians Including Shah Faesal in J&K|date=20 February 2019|website=Outlook India|access-date=11 March 2019}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.dnaindia.com/india/report-shah-faesal-s-security-clearance-withdrawn-by-jk-administration-2722301|title=Shah Faesal's security clearance withdrawn by J&K administration|date=12 February 2019|website=Daily News and Analysis (DNA)|others=PTI|access-date=11 March 2019}}</ref>

On 14 August 2019 he was detained while flying out of [[IGI Airport]] to [[Turkey]] and sent back to Kashmir <ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.indiatoday.in/india/story/shah-faesal-detained-kashmir-unrest-delhi-airport-house-arrest-1580770-2019-08-14|title=Former IAS officer Shah Faesal detained at Delhi airport, placed under house arrest in Kashmir|date=14 August 2019}}</ref>

==Views==
Apart from the Prime Minister of Pakistan [[Imran Khan]], Faesal Shah has also named Delhi Chief Minister [[Arvind Kejriwal]] as a role model.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/no-plans-to-join-any-political-party-as-of-now-shah-faesal/articleshow/67488173.cms|title=I'm deeply inspired by Imran Khan: Faesal Rasool Shah|date=11 January 2019|website=The Times of India|access-date=11 March 2019}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.indiatoday.in/india/story/imran-khan-kejriwal-inspired-me-to-join-politics-says-shah-faesal-1428976-2019-01-11|title=Imran Khan, Kejriwal inspired me to join politics, says Shah Faesal|date=11 January 2019|website=India Today|others=Press Trust of India|access-date=11 March 2019}}</ref> [[Mani Shankar Aiyar]], another Indian bureaucrat turned politician who went on to become a Union Minister, wrote an article on Shah Faesal called "Kashmir's [[Arvind Kejriwal]]".<ref name=":4" />

On 3 March 2019, Shah Faesal recommended the [[Nobel Peace Prize]] for Imran Khan for "saving South Asia from a nuclear catastrophe."<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.newindianexpress.com/nation/2019/mar/03/ex-ias-officer-shah-faesal-recommends-nobel-peace-prize-for-imran-khan-draws-flak-1946131.html|title=Ex-IAS officer Faesal Rasool Shah recommends Nobel Peace Prize for Imran Khan, draws flak|date=3 March 2019|website=The New Indian Express|access-date=6 March 2019}}</ref>

Faesal Shah, during a talk in New Delhi in February 2019 at the [[India International Centre|India International Center]], said that Kashmir is like a "High Altitude Graveyard".<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.news18.com/news/india/kashmir-is-more-like-high-altitude-graveyard-says-shah-faesal-after-pulwama-terror-strike-claims-40-2038025.html|title=Kashmir is More Like High Altitude Graveyard, Says Faesal Rasool Shah After Pulwama Terror Strike Claims 40|date=15 February 2019|website=News18|access-date=11 March 2019}}</ref> He has suggested ways forward including "humanising the discourse" and advising people not to see the Kashmir issue as a mere "law and order problem".<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.tribuneindia.com/news/jammu-kashmir/trust-deficit-among-kashmiri-youth-towards-indian-state-shah-faesal/729528.html|title=Trust deficit among Kashmiri youth towards Indian state: Shah Faesal|last=Singh|first=Ravi S|date=15 February 2019|work=The Tribune|access-date=11 March 2019}}</ref>

On 5 March 2021, Taking to Twitter, Faesal wrote, "Friends let’s sort it out for once. I have always been pro-India. But now I am single-mindedly, shamelessly, helplessly and unapologetically pro-India. I stick to my side. It is a long story and I have to tell this story one day. But this is how it is going to be. Peace."<ref>{{Cite web|last=Staff|first=J. K. R.|date=2021-03-06|title="Shamelessly, helplessly and unapologetically pro-India.": Kashmiri IAS topper Shah Faesal leaves netizens confused with fresh social media post|url=http://www.jantakareporter.com/india/shamelessly-helplessly-and-unapologetically-pro-india-kashmiri-ias-topper-shah-faesal-leaves-netizens-confused-with-fresh-social-media-post/333040/|access-date=2021-03-07|website=Janta Ka Reporter 2.0|language=en-US}}</ref>

== Personal life ==
Shah Faesal is married to Iram Rashid, an officer of [[Jammu and Kashmir Administrative Service|KAS]], and has a son named Jami Faesal.<ref>{{cite web|date=23 February 2019|title=Petition in HC seeks release of Shah Faesal|url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/petition-in-hc-seeks-release-of-shah-faesal/article29162969.ece|access-date=11 August 2020|website=The Hindu}}</ref>

==References==
{{reflist}}

== Bibliography ==
* Khalid Shah (2019). ''[https://www.orfonline.org/expert-speak/shah-faesal-paradox-kashmir-47396/ Shah Faesal and the paradox of Kashmir].'' [[Observer Research Foundation]]
* Murtaza Shibli (2019). [https://countercurrents.org/2019/01/31/shah-faesal-a-forged-journeyshah-faesal-a-forged-journey/ ''Shah Faesal: A Forged Journey'']. [[Countercurrents.org]]

==External links==
* {{Facebook|shah.faesal.3}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Faesal, Shah}}
[[Category:Indian civil servants]]
[[Category:1983 births]]
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:Kashmiri people]]
[[Category:Indian Muslims]]

Shah Faesal - Revision history

Kishore121: page edit

imported>Yanni7242 at 10:29, 22 July 2021