JAMMU, Sep 15 : Advocate and independent social-political activist Dilshad Qadri, who hails from Mendhar sub-division of district Poonch has been selected for the Indian School of Democracy (ISD)’s The Good Politician (TGP) 2026, its flagship nine-month political leadership programme bringing together 50 emerging leaders from across India.
A former elected Students’ Union President, Qadri has been actively involved in grassroots campaigns and advocacy on issues including caste discrimination, student rights and the concerns of marginalised communities in the Pir Panjal region of Jammu & Kashmir. His work includes legal aid, advocacy and political campaigns aimed at giving a voice to communities and raising grassroots issues.
Qadri is an advocate enrolled with the Delhi Bar Council and holds an LL.M. in Constitutional Law, along with a Postgraduate Diploma in Human Rights Law. His work has focused on human rights, social justice and grassroots public issues.
This is Qadri’s second major association with ISD. He was previously selected for Democracy Express 2025, an immersive political learning journey across Northeast India that brought together 43 aspiring political leaders from across the country.
Qadri had expressed his desire to join The Good Politician after completing Democracy Express. His selection for the 2026 cohort now takes that journey forward.
The Good Politician focuses on principled politics, moral courage, political strategy and grassroots leadership, combining residential learning, fieldwork, expert sessions and immersive experiences.
For Qadri, the opportunity comes at an important stage of his journey, as he seeks to deepen his understanding of politics and principled leadership to strengthen his engagement with people at the grassroots. He hopes to use the experience to contribute more meaningfully to public life.