His name surfaced scandalously in April this year as one of two BJP emissaries mandated to engage Hurriyat patriarch Syed Ali Geelani. But far from controversy right now, the national youth president of Lok Janshakti Party, Sanjay Saraf, 43, is working “hard” to woo voters from his constituency – Habba Kadal, one of the few constituencies on BJP’s radar to accomplish its “Mission 44+” in Jammu and Kashmir. In an interview with Bilal Handoo, Saraf talks about his constituency, pandits and BJP
Kashmir Life (KL): To begin with, let me ask, who is Sanjay Saraf?
Sanjay Saraf (SS): Sanjay Saraf is a Kashmiri who believes in Kashmiriyat, Sufism, and feels for the youth of the place. Being a socialist and an activist since college days, I jumped into active politics in 1996 after getting impressed by the ideology of President Lok Janshakti Party (LJP), Ram Vilas Paswan. I joined LJP in 2000 and two years later, I contested my first assembly election from Habba Kadal Constituency. I again contested in 2008, but both the times, I was declared unsuccessful. I actually belong to South Kashmir’s Islamabad district but now living in Srinagar’s Shivpora locality. My father, Chuni Lal Saraf is a social activist-turned-advocate.
KL: Why did you choose Habba Kadal as the launching pad of your political career?
SS: Because Habba Kadal is the only place which has been neglected by every political party for last sixty years. Since childhood, I am in touch with the place and understand its pulse.
KL: So, why should people vote for you in an upcoming assembly election?
SS: Look, I am not wooing my voters by making bogus promises like others do. I am simply asking votes in lieu of developmental works. In case people vote me to assembly, I will overhaul the local drainage system; besides, will work to create employment avenues for the local youth. I will start a small unit for artisans on the pattern of China. I will also start a tourist centre in Habba Kadal where local youth will be trained and subsequently engaged with different hotels. Besides, I will open small tourist offices across India with the assistance of state tourism department. This will throw employment opportunity for local youth; besides, will boost the tourism sector.
I will also work to introduce Tram system in Srinagar on pattern of Shimla and Uttrakhand. These are just concepts which await people’s verdict for implementation. Let me assure you, if Sanjay Saraf can introduce Rs 5000 crore railway project in Jammu and Kashmir, then he can surely clear the decks for other developmental projects in the state. You know, I brought the Rs 250 crore Steel Plant in Lassipora, but our worthy chief minister Omar Abdullah didn’t like the project. And hence, it was never allowed to operate. Do you know, 48 per cent of workforce in that steel plant would have been from Old City which could have eased out the rate of unemployment, but…
KL: Now, if you can talk about the issues in your constituency?
SS: Look, let me tell you, unemployment is the biggest factor in Habba Kadal like elsewhere in state. Do you know, many local youth engaged by state government on need basis are presently facing huge social stress. I have no qualms to assert that state government is responsible for the mounting divorce rate in Jammu and Kashmir. Because these youth get married anticipating service regularisation, but end up facing the trauma of split marriage due to lingering uncertain nature of their jobs.
Other than unemployment, drug menace is another burning issue of Habba Kadal. And let me say this on record that it a coterie of five men of MLA Habba Kadal, Shameema Firdous who is spreading and supporting drug addiction among local youth. Also there are 40 to 45 lavish pandit houses which were never sold off. But thanks to a goon-culture created by these five yes-men of the MLA, 17 such houses were demolished against the wishes of pandits. It was only after the intervention of Syed Ali Geelani Sahab who is the real leader of Kashmir that the matter was rested.
KL: Since you mention pandits, how do you see the Rehabilitation Policy which Modi government has devised quite ambitiously?
SS: Well, let me tell you, nothing has been worked out as of now. It is all on the papers. Nothing is visible on the ground. I think New Delhi should have instead started interactions between Kashmiri Muslims and Pandits at different age group levels, so as to reach at collective and constructive consensus.
KL: So do you think New Delhi has adopted a flawed approach to rehabilitate pandits?
SS: Well it is their own view and I can’t say: it is a flawed approach. But I believe participation of Kashmiri Muslims in rehabilitation of pandits is mandatory.
KL: OK, let’s assume, New Delhi will come up with the best devised rehabilitation policy soon, but the question remains: will pandits return?
SS: Look, this matter isn’t as easy as it appears. We need to understand that we have two types of pandits: settled and unsettled. Settled group is happily engaged outside. But around 1 lakh unsettled group scattered across India will love to return. I think govt of India should concentrate on unsettled group than adopting an elusive (holistic) approach to engage all.
KL: Alright. Lately, BJP President, Amit Shah is eyeing to cash on migrant vote-bank in his party’s favour to establish “his dream government in Jammu and Kashmir”. How bright are his chances of success?
SS: Let me tell you quite categorically that Kashmiri pandits have their ideology and clear mindset. They know what they want. BJP wooing will fall flat on its face if pandits feel that it is not in their interest. Besides, pandit votes are scattered across India. So it won’t be a cakewalk for Shah and his men to bank upon most of the migrant votes. Besides why should pandits fill the migrant forms that involve arduous office visits just for voting.
KL: But then we are talking about the man [Amit Shah] who made it possible for BJP in Uttar Pradesh?
SS: But then the fact is: Jammu and Kashmir and Uttar Pradesh are two different states with people having different aspirations and expectations. So it won’t be easy, as I said earlier, for BJP to bank on migrant votes.
KL: But keeping the pro-pandit initiatives taken by Modi government under perspective, do you still believe that BJP has bleak chances in state?
SS: Yes BJP has managed to strike a confidence building measure among pandits. And this has helped the party to create a positive image for itself among pandits. This is undoubtedly going to encourage many pandits to vote in favour of BJP.
KL: Since Habba Kadal figures in one of those constituencies in Kashmir which is on BJP’s radar for an upcoming assembly election, how is your party preparing to counter BJP’s pragmatic approach?
SS: My party is only sticking to basics by doing door-to-door campaigns and road shows. I have my own networks of 15000 to 16000 pandit votes, besides, above 80,000 Muslim votes. In last election, I managed 4000 pandit votes, but now, I am counting mostly on youth.
KL: At a time when BJP is reportedly roping in many leaders from valley in its party; has the party ever approached you?
SS: Look, I am contented in my own space and already accepted.
KL: You seem to dodge my question: Has BJP ever approached you?
SS: You see that is not the point. I told you that I am happy with the support of my people. But yes, I believe, switchovers aren’t bad things. But I don’t change my loyalties. And BJP knows it, that I am happy in my own space. They might attempt all these things with my leader in New Delhi, but not with me.
KL: So are you trying to say that you have completely distanced yourself from BJP?
SS: Why should I distance myself from BJP? We are in alliance at Delhi…
KL: Forget about Delhi, but has BJP ever tried to engage you in the state?
SS: No, no, BJP has its own men active in J&K for its engagements. Why should they engage Sanjay Saraf?
KL: Then why your name surfaced in April this year as one of two emissaries of BJP who tried to engage hardcore Hurriyat leader like Syed Ali Geelani?
SS: No, it’s completely wrong. I was never BJP’s emissary.
KL: But then how your name got surfaced?
SS: Look, my name was unnecessarily dragged into the controversy by one of my political opponents. That person encashed my 14-year-old long relationship with Geelani Sahab who is like a father figure to me, but I have no complains.
KL: One last question, what is your take on Pandit question?
SS: Look whatever happened in 1990 was unfortunate. But I believe, we shouldn’t cripple our present because of our past. I know both sides suffered a lot, but now the maturity lies in to have a fresh beginning.
