Thread by @IndianPrism

Shah Faesal's father was killed by militants when he was 19. He became a doctor, topped IAS. Is a Fulbright scholar at Harvard. Joined politics to serve people better. Believed in Indian democracy & inspired Kashmiris. Today he's *locked up* & called *anti national*

India, 2019

Shah Faesal is a Fulbright scholar at Harvard, visits it regularly. Was going there when he was detained at Delhi airport. Sanghis said he was fleeing the country, meeting "terrorists" at Turkey (he had a connecting flight) etc. Now Harvard has written to Modi seeking his release

#ShahFaesal was a doctor, IAS, politician, scholar, motivator. He father was killed by militants yet he chose the pen instead of a gun. He chose compassion over revenge. This man is a legend in Kashmir. Today he's called 'anti national' and we wonder why Kashmiris distrust India?

#ShahFaesal is no separatist but a patriot. He believed in electoral democracy but legit protested the unilateral decision taken by govt without consultation with Kashmiris. He protested people being locked up, denied food & communication, treated as criminals in their own state.

#ShahFaesal didn't "quit" IAS but took up a bigger challenge to serve Kashmiris directly. He bravely left a cushy, govt job to join the dirt & danger of Kashmiri politics. Was crowdfunding his elections. And India rewarded him by locking him up and declaring him an anti national

Next time you wonder why educated, honest and non dynastic people don't join politics, esp in Kashmir, remember #ShahFaesal. The son of a teacher, child of a martyr, a brilliant patriot is now an anti national. We've turned an inspiration into a cautionary tale

Well done, India

Those mocking or pitying #ShahFaesal for leaving the IAS & his political career now being over, worry not. He's still a genius doctor, Harvard scholar, administrator. Will be successful in any field. Any university or country will be proud to have him. The loss is solely India's.

125 Harvard faculty & alum have written to Modi ji seeking #ShahFaesal's release. This is how respected he is. He's a Fulbright scholar there. This guy could've made a good career abroad ages ago but decided to serve Kashmiris and Indians. Silly, no?

nationalheraldindia.com/india/harvard-…

#ShahFaesal was 19 when his father was killed by militants. Became an IAS, scholar
#SanjaySuri was 19 when his father was killed by militants. Became a Bollywood actor

Both Kashmiris. Both survivors of violence. Both deserve justice & empathy. Let's not call one an anti-national

Above tweet is not to compare but to make some gentle points. Don't stereotype ALL Kashmiri Muslims. Let's not feel people deserve justice basis their identity. Kashmiri Pandits suffered as did many Kashmiri Muslims. Let KPs return & don't paint 8 million KMs as anti-nationals.

Paid journos like these ran derogatory shows insinuating #ShahFaesal was fleeing the country, meeting terrorists (coz he had a connecting flt from Turkey), etc. A 5 min Google could have given him the Ans. Read insulting comments on this 'journo's' thread

https://twitter.com/nishantchat/status/1161623326873100288?s=19

https://twitter.com/IndianPrism/status/1162047411952340992?s=19

#ShahFaesal appeared for his medical entrance exam the day after his father’s murder by militants. And secured a seat. When he topped UPSC, his entire village celebrated his success.

Today, India tells Kashmiris their effort and patriotism doesn't count

m.telegraphindia.com/india/militanc…

Whether Art 370 abrogation was right or not is debatable. A life changing decision being forced upon Kashmiris sans consultation is unfair, undemocratic. 8 million Kashmiris locked up, cut off from the world, starved & being blinded by pellet guns should OUTRAGE every human being

So well done propagandist media, bigoted majoritarian voters, desensitized citizens. Media villifed, dehumanized Kashmiris on primetime daily. So much so that crushing of basic human rights doesn't evoke any empathy. Kashmiris will survive. Worry about our democracy. Jai Hind.

Sudha Koul was Jammu & Kashmir's first female IAS officer who grew up in the Valley. She narrates how Kashmir is a victim of history, geography and politics for 72 years. Also gives a brief background to J&K's 700 year old history. #PleaseRead

thewire.in/61101/kashmir-…

Plugging more views about #ShahFaesal's unfair detention on specious grounds.

https://twitter.com/ranjodhd/status/1161670481163894786?s=19

Check difference btw *dissent* & "badmouthing". #ShahFaesal PROTESTED against 'mass blindings & unabated killings' of Kashmiri Muslims (resignation reason). Joined politics to influence policy directly

Sit down, you're not the only "nationalist" in town

https://twitter.com/DharRenuka/status/1162350003408400384?s=19

#FunFact. So #ShahFaesal has an MA in Urdu & is an Urdu poet. In fact, Urdu literature was one of his two subjects in UPSC Mains. Poetry was his first love before MBBS, IAS, Harvard happened. Wish ignoramuses would research credentials before branding people an 'anti national' 😏