Ex-R&AW chief Dulat claims Farooq privately backed Article 370 abrogation, he denies
The abrogation of Article 370, which granted special status to Jammu and Kashmir, has been a topic of intense debate and controversy. The decision was taken by the Indian government in August 2019, and since then, various stakeholders have been sharing their perspectives on the issue. In a recent revelation, former R&AW chief AS Dulat has claimed that former Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Farooq Abdullah privately backed the abrogation of Article 370. However, Abdullah has denied these claims, calling them a “figment of imagination”.
Dulat’s claims were made in his new book, ‘The Chief Minister and the Spy’, which chronicles his experiences as a spymaster. According to the book, Dulat had a meeting with Abdullah in 2019, during which the former Chief Minister expressed his willingness to support the abrogation of Article 370. Dulat reportedly wrote that Abdullah’s National Conference (NC) had suggested that the move would have helped in passing the Bill in Parliament.
Abdullah has strongly denied these claims, stating that they are baseless and unfounded. In a statement, he said, “I have always been a strong advocate for the rights of the people of Jammu and Kashmir, and I would never support any move that would dilute their rights. These claims are a figment of imagination of the author who claims to be my friend.”
It is worth noting that Dulat’s claims have been met with skepticism by many, including Abdullah’s party workers and supporters. They have questioned the credibility of Dulat’s claims, citing the fact that there is no concrete evidence to support his assertions.
The controversy surrounding Dulat’s claims has also raised questions about the nature of the relationship between the Indian government and the NC. The NC has been a key player in Jammu and Kashmir politics for decades, and the party has a significant following in the region. The party’s stance on Article 370 has been a subject of debate, with some members expressing support for the move while others have opposed it.
The abrogation of Article 370 has been a highly contentious issue, with many arguing that it has led to a loss of autonomy for the people of Jammu and Kashmir. The move has also been criticized for being unconstitutional, as it was implemented without consulting the people of the region or involving them in the decision-making process.
In conclusion, the controversy surrounding Dulat’s claims highlights the complex and contentious nature of the issue of Article 370. While Dulat’s claims may have sparked a fresh round of debate, they have also raised questions about the credibility of the sources and the motivations behind the claims. Ultimately, the fate of Article 370 remains uncertain, and it is up to the people of Jammu and Kashmir to decide what they want for their region.
News Source:
https://repository.inshorts.com/articles/en/PTI/5880e3bf-0a05-40d6-887a-465b5c760b3a
