Shehla Rashid: 'Why paint every Kashmiri as a terrorist? Even separatists like JKLF advocate a Gandhian approach, Yasin Malik advocates a peaceful resolution'
Shehla Rashid, JNU student leader, has entered active politics. Speaking with Rohit E David, Rashid discussed BJP, Congress, Article 35-A, state security for Kashmiri public figures and the state's 'Gandhian separatists'.
Q. You have joined Shah Faesal's party. Your critics say the Congress finally refused your candidature owing to the 'tukde tukde gang' controversy?
I have never approached the Congress for candidature. I have never approached Priyanka, Rahul or Sonia Gandhi. My only interaction with Congress leaders is on panels and we have shared stages together.
I have never been interested in the Congress mandate because they don’t have their position on AFSPA and many other things.
Q. The word 'secularism' meanwhile has mostly vanished from the Congress' manifesto. Are you disappointed? Or not surprised?
I will not comment on Congress because they are not in power right now. We will criticise them when they are in power. India needs a progressive politics which is outside the revolving door of the Congress or BJP. People like Jignesh Mevani — I strongly believe that he should launch a progressive party at the centre which will provide a platform for the youth.
Q. Meanwhile, the Jammu and Kashmir government has said no civilian traffic will be allowed on the Kashmir highway for two days weekly — why are you upset?
Because this is a huge issue. It restricts civilian movement — and this, I believe, is a ploy to create more alienation amongst Kashmiris. So that they can be kept away from the electoral process, to ensure an electoral victory for the BJP.
It’s illogical to block civilian passage on the road — if the armed forces convoys have to be moved, it can be done early morning, special trains can be arranged for them or they can be airlifted. Convoys have been in Kashmir forever — alternative arrangements have to be explored.
Q. Recently, 2,768 security men were reportedly withdrawn from 919 persons, including 22 separatists, in Kashmir — what's your view?
There is a whole narrative which has been created in some TV studios — an attempt to paint every Kashmiri as a terrorist. It’s a wrong perception.
Even separatists like JKLF have been advocating a Gandhian approach — Yasin Malik is advocating a peaceful resolution for Kashmir, then there is no need to paint every Kashmiri as a terrorist. Many mainstream leaders have also had their security withdrawn — this is completely stupid.
We know the ground reality is such that the first target of armed incursions is politicians. In my view, politicians apart from BJP are being paralysed, so that they cannot function or visit areas like South Kashmir, which is a strongly insurgency-hit area. It’s election time and I think politicians' security being withdrawn means that an electoral victory for BJP is being arranged.
Q. There are strange things afoot in Kashmir's politics anyway — recently, Mehbooba Mufti apparently lauded an activist famous over the Kathua rape case but who's also reportedly accused of raping a woman in Delhi. You are a feminist leader. What are your thoughts on this?
I think the whole matter should be investigated. Until proven, I will side with the victims or complainants.
We are not saying that anyone should be hanged just on the basis of allegations. The man involved should clear his name from all these cases first. No one is doubting his political credentials, he is a fine young man whose heart ideologically is in the right place.
It would be more fair if he clears his name first — and then comes into politics
Q. Meanwhile, JNU student leaders, it is reported, apparently once called for India's disintegration. Why are they all rushing into mainstream politics today? Was student politics a preparation for a life of the same power, the same bungalows, the same security guards?
These allegations are baseless. JNU politics has been going on for decades. That was not the first time a protest took place in JNU. The whole controversy was fabricated. As a matter of fact, I don’t have security, so for me, the question doesn’t arise. I go through normal procedures everywhere.
I have not come into politics for security. I have joined politics to challenge the existing system which is biased against everyone and what, in my view, the BJP is doing is very anti-democratic, be it in Delhi or Kashmir. They have been jeopardising the very cause of democracy.
Q. Speaking of which, Article 35-A in Kashmir is considered totally against the democratic equal rights of women. As a woman leader, do you support or reject this aspect of Article 35-A?
You know that Article 35-A in itself, that issue is in the Supreme Court. The main concern is the erosion of Article 370 which has been on the BJP’s agenda for a very long time and again, the NGO which has challenged Article 35-A reportedly has links with RSS. So, I think they are not concerned with equality, etc., or whether people in Jammu are against it.
The region of J&K has its own political specificity — due to which it is best not to tamper with constitutional provisions. Article-35 A, you can debate it, whether its norms are just or not — we cannot tamper with it. We are for strengthening regional autonomy and the federal system.