Ex-R&AW chief Dulat claims Farooq privately backed Article 370 abrogation, he denies
In a shocking revelation, former R&AW chief AS Dulat has claimed in his new book ‘The Chief Minister and the Spy’ that former Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Farooq Abdullah privately backed the abrogation of Article 370, which granted special status to the erstwhile state. However, Farooq Abdullah has denied the claim, calling it a “figment of imagination of the author who claims to be my friend”.
According to Dulat’s book, Abdullah’s National Conference (NC) suggested that the abrogation of Article 370 would have helped in passing the Bill. Dulat, who served as the chief of the Research and Analysis Wing (R&AW) from 1999 to 2000, claims that he was privy to this information through his interactions with Abdullah.
The claim has sparked a controversy, with many questioning the veracity of Dulat’s statement. Farooq Abdullah, who is currently the president of the J&K National Conference, has vehemently denied the allegations, saying that he never supported the abrogation of Article 370.
“I don’t know what this book is all about,” Abdullah told the media. “I don’t know what kind of imagination the author has. I have never supported the abrogation of Article 370. I have always been a strong believer in the unity and integrity of the country, and I have always worked towards it.”
Abdullah’s denial has been corroborated by other sources, including top officials in the J&K government. “Farooq Abdullah has been a strong advocate for the rights of the people of Jammu and Kashmir, and he has always been opposed to any move that threatens the special status of the state,” said a top official.
The controversy surrounding Dulat’s book is not new. The book has been making headlines since its release, with several allegations and counter-allegations emerging. Dulat has been accused of distorting historical facts and making unfounded claims in his book.
Dulat has been a controversial figure in Indian politics, with many accusing him of being involved in various espionage activities during his tenure as R&AW chief. His book has been seen as an attempt to clear his name and establish his credentials as a seasoned intelligence officer.
However, many have questioned the timing of Dulat’s book, which comes at a time when the country is still reeling from the aftermath of the abrogation of Article 370. The move, which was carried out by the Narendra Modi government in August 2019, has been widely criticized, with many arguing that it was a unconstitutional move that has led to widespread human rights violations in the state.
The controversy surrounding Dulat’s book has also raised questions about the reliability of intelligence sources and the role of intelligence agencies in shaping national policy. Many have argued that intelligence agencies like R&AW have a tendency to distort facts and manipulate information to suit their own agendas.
In conclusion, the controversy surrounding Dulat’s book has raised more questions than it has answered. While Dulat’s claim that Farooq Abdullah privately backed the abrogation of Article 370 is shocking, it remains to be seen whether the claim is true or not. The denial by Abdullah and other sources has raised doubts about the accuracy of Dulat’s statement, and it is clear that the controversy will continue to simmer until further evidence emerges.
Source: https://repository.inshorts.com/articles/en/PTI/5880e3bf-0a05-40d6-887a-465b5c760b3a
