Kashmir Digits

Politics in Kashmir is always a stirring pot with something news worthy coming up one day after another.

There is a possibility of elections this year after the much criticized delimitation commission report.

As such the onus is on the parties in J&K to ramp up their preparations ahead of what could be a decisive year in J&K politics.

Recruitment of fresh faces, giving a vibe of change of image and ideals could be a way to start.

In that regard Peoples Democratic Party recently recruited a fresh young face, a renowned businessman from Kashmir- Zuhaib Yousuf Mir

So who is Zuhaib Mir and what exactly he can bring to PDP when the party looks to compete in the elections? Lets take a look.

Zuhaib Yousuf Mir

Zuhaib Yousuf Mir is from Athwajan area and is the grandson of prominent businessman of J&K, late Abdul Salam Mir.

From a such background a foray into the world of business should’ve been a no brainer which lead to Zuhaib completing his degree in Economics in London.

After his degree he decided to pursue Indian Administrative Services (IAS) and got in touch with the world of politics in Kashmir and beyond.

Having cleared his IAS prelims, his focus was now turned on the mains exam for which he began preparing by going through the Indian constitution.

While at that he came across Article 370 on August 4, 2019 and studied its nature and safeguards, however in an ironic twist of fate the very next day this article was revoked in a watershed moment for Kashmir politics.

From IAS to politics

For Zuhaib the abrogation of Article 370 was an outright betrayal and denial of what he was studying in preparation for his exams and his belief in the political struggle for a solution.

Shaken and disappointed by the events he returned to Kashmir and began studying politics of the region and India in depth.

Having read the works of B.R Amedkar and Gandhi, this IAS aspirant understood the concept of constructive program.

While he found most political leaders behind bars this did not deter Zuhaib as he decided to pursue this path in order to restore J&K to its former status.

This has resulted in Zuhaib joining PDP, having admired Mehbooba Mufti for her dissenting voice in the past years and not laying down softly over stirring issues.

Future

Now part of one of J&K’s biggest political parties, Zuhaib is faced with a challenging task ahead. Restoring PDP’s image on the political table in the region being one of them.

This step by PDP to induct a young but passionate individual who for the right circumstances could’ve been in the top civil service of India is a bold move.

Here you have a party that was maligned for its role in the current status in J&K, after their ill-fated alliance with BJP, washing off that image will take some doing.

While not completely changing the narrative, their leader Mehbooba Mufti has been subjected to frequent house arrests and other restrictions after she voiced her concerns over many issues in the past one year, that sort of outspoken nature was missing from her artillery and this is what has drawn an aspiring youth like Zuhaib to PDP.

Obviously it won’t entirely fall on the shoulders of Zuhaib to single handedly get PDP back on the pedestal and in the good books of people, this can be a start.

Given the current political vacuum in political sphere of J&K, a young leader like Zuhaib will appeal to a certain section. This new look image if carried cautiously will go a long way in correcting the wrongs of the past.

Zuhaib will know that this is one move that can define his political career, although relatively new in poltics and part of a massive party like PDP, there are incidents of fast rises in politics.

However, there are also incidents of faster falls from grace, case in point another IAS aspirant turned politician of Kashmir, which didn’t end too well.

If Zuhaib plays the right part in a region which takes to young ambitious and intellectual leaders and creates a conscious image this has great potential for him and his party.

During his induction Zuhaib said, ‘Andhiyon Ki Zid Hai Jahan Bijliyan Girane Ki, Humari Bhi Zid Hai Wahi Ashiyan Basane Ki’, how far he and his party go in this endeavor remains to be seen.



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