Shehla Rashid quits electoral politics, cites Kashmiris' suppression as reason
What's the story
The lockdown in Kashmir is unfortunate and the announcement of Block Development Council elections a sham, feels activist-turned-politician Shehla Rashid.
This is why the former Vice-President of JNU Students' Union has decided to quit electoral politics.
Shehla, a member of ex-IAS officer Shah Faesal's Jammu and Kashmir People's Movement (JKPM), revealed her decision on Wednesday and said she will remain an "activist".
Here's more.
Decision
According to Shehla, children are being abducted in Kashmir
A vocal critic of Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), Shehla joined mainstream politics in March this year, and quit seven months later.
In a long statement posted on social media, she disclosed she was "compelled" to make the decision as BDC polls were announced amid the crisis in J&K.
She said the lockdown has affected millions and claimed children were "being abducted" in the Valley.
Statement
Shehla revealed why she joined and quit electoral politics
Shehla went on to say that the government is holding polls only to paint a picture to the world that things are "normal" in Kashmir.
She said she joined a party which never asked her to compromise on her stance and said they believed justice would be delivered.
Had the government respected the law of land, they would have kept their promise, she added.
Elections
She dismissed the polls, called it democracy's murder
Thereafter, Shehla added, "What is underway is not a democracy, but the murder of democracy." All the government wants is to install puppet leaders, she stated.
Taking a leaf from history books, she added, "From outright coup in 1953 to rigged elections in 1987 to stage-managed rhetoric in 2019, the Centre has only sophisticated the process of selecting its puppets over time."
Quote
She slammed detention of politicians and PSA
"Political leaders are being forced to contest elections only on the issue of restoration of statehood, and asked to keep quiet about Article 370 and bifurcation of the state! Anyone challenging their detention will be slapped with the draconian Public Safety Act," she wrote.
Details
I stand by people who are being suppressed: Shehla
Shehla also said that whatever happened in the past like the exodus of Kashmiri pundits can't be blamed on the current generation, but they can still reject the government's actions.
Saying she stands with her people who are being made to suffer for basic amenities, she wrote, "I cannot be a party to the exercise of legitimizing the brutal suppression of my people."
Future
Done with politics, Shehla will fight the battle in SC
Criticizing the Centre, she said the government wants youth to "join the mainstream" politics but their actions have driven them far.
"If being in the mainstream means compromising on the basic interests of your people, then one cannot be part of such a mainstream!" she added.
Revealing her future plans, Shehla said she will fight the battle against Article 370's abrogation in Supreme Court.
Facebook Post
You can read her complete post here
Looking back
To recall, Indian Army had dismissed Shehla's "harassment" claims
Pertinently, days after the Kashmir move, Shehla had claimed that local cops of Kashmir have been rendered helpless and it's the Army which is taking all decisions.
In tweets, she alleged homes were being "ransacked" and ration "being spilled".
Refuting her allegations, the Army said, "Such unverified and fake news are spread by inimical elements and organizations to incite the unsuspecting population."