Tassaduq H Mufti, who has great interest in environment and heritage, has just taken the plunge into politics. One wishes that his passion and optimism will guide him
late in 2014, Kashmir's scenic beauty was revamped through a hauntingly beautiful video which went viral particularly among the Kashmiri youth owing to it’s new perspective on Kashmir. Years later, the man behind the video intends to revamp the State's politics, steering it clear of run-of-the-mill politics that has been espoused for decades.
In the course of filming across the valley, he got more than what he had imagined. The degradation of environment and the distinct problems faced by diverse people of the State hit a nerve with the calm, bespectacled man. The first hand exposure to such issues gave Tassaduq Hussain Mufti, the cinematographer, an edge — a hallmark of the party: Insight into the nuances at grassroots. It is a fact that over the years, enough damage has been done to Kashmir's environment and difficulties have been piled up on the people.
Those, Tassaduq Hussain Mufti believes, can only be undone when the people of the State realise the importance of ecological restoration and its sustainability. His firm belief is that whether it is the spread of industry or the construction of buildings, a sensible approach has to be adopted without disturbing the ecology.
On the first death anniversary of his father, Mufti Mohammad Sayeed, Tassaduq Hussain Mufti reluctantly ventured into politics to “make some kind of a change” on the ground, primarily for ecological, urban restoration, create dignified job opportunities for the youth.
This at a time when Kashmir is seeing resurgence in militancy, violence, and widespread disenchantment, Tassaduq Hussain Mufti's emergence on the political scene is, therefore, a significant development. His astute views on matters of public interest have given strong signals that he is someone who would challenge the traditional way of doing politics.
Driven by a clean image and no baggage behind his back, Tassaduq Hussain Mufti's mission is sustainable and planned development, preservation of cultural heritage, rural and religious tourism, besides a host of other issues. He believes that the real empowerment of people lies in stability and sustainability of the State's natural systems. He wants a common goal for economic and social empowerment. He understands the psyche and aspirations of Kashmir's youth and wants to engage them in productive and meaningful activities.
His focus areas are development of horticulture, sericulture and rural tourism. He has been working to bring in new methods and expertise to promote these potential sectors so that everyone can reap its socio-economic benefits. He has been making all out efforts to preserve Srinagar's silk factory, an architectural marvel, set up in the 1860s, which was in total ruin.
Going by his recent public speeches and interactions with the cross section of the society, one can easily understand what he is up to: He is different, straight, unconventional, blunt and precise. No false hopes, no beating around the bush. By urging the people not to risk their lives for his victory, he made a loud statement that differentiates him from our run-of-the-mill politicians. He said he will fight for truthfulness, irrespective of the outcome of the upcoming by polls.
Tassaduq Hussain Mufti never took advantage of his surname and his father's stature; he already was set on a path to make a difference in his own way. Together with a few of his close friends in Kashmir, he registered an NGO — Arasta and began working tirelessly to dispose-off solid waste material at Srinagar's Achan dumping site and Pahalgam tourist spot. Top scientists from across the country were called to help deal with the waste. Keeping up with his commitment towards civic issues, sanitation drives were carried out in Srinagar, Bijbehara and in various hospitals across the summer capital.
Tassaduq Hussain Mufti has just begun his political journey and he has his work cut out for him but his passion, optimism and grassroots experience will surely guide him through.
(The writer is media analyst in Jammu & Kashmir Government. Views expressed are personal)