Ex-R&AW chief Dulat claims Farooq privately backed Article 370 abrogation, he denies
In a recent revelation, former R&AW chief AS Dulat 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. However, Abdullah has denied these claims, calling them a “figment of imagination of the author who claims to be my friend”.
The controversy arose when Dulat revealed in his book that Abdullah’s National Conference (NC) suggested that the abrogation of Article 370 would have helped in passing the Bill. Dulat’s claims have sparked a heated debate, with many questioning the accuracy of his account.
Article 370, which granted special status to Jammu and Kashmir, was abrogated by the Indian government in August 2019. The move was widely seen as a significant step towards integrating the state with the rest of the country. However, the decision was met with widespread protests and criticism from various quarters, including the Opposition and the people of Jammu and Kashmir.
Dulat’s claims have been met with skepticism by many, who point out that Abdullah has consistently opposed the abrogation of Article 370. Abdullah has been a strong advocate for the special status of Jammu and Kashmir and has repeatedly spoken out against the government’s decision.
In response to Dulat’s claims, Abdullah denied any involvement in the abrogation of Article 370. “This is a figment of imagination of the author who claims to be my friend,” Abdullah said in a statement. “I have always been opposed to the abrogation of Article 370 and will continue to fight for the rights of the people of Jammu and Kashmir.”
Dulat’s claims have also been questioned by political analysts, who point out that there is no evidence to support his account. “Dulat’s claims are based on his own imagination and not on any credible evidence,” said a political analyst. “Abdullah has consistently opposed the abrogation of Article 370 and there is no reason to believe that he would have backed it privately.”
The controversy has also raised questions about the accuracy of Dulat’s book, which is a memoir that chronicles his experiences as the chief of R&AW. Dulat’s claims have been met with skepticism by many, who point out that he has a history of making controversial statements.
In conclusion, the controversy surrounding Dulat’s claims about Farooq Abdullah’s alleged backing of the abrogation of Article 370 highlights the complexities of the issue. While Dulat’s claims have sparked a heated debate, there is no evidence to support his account, and Abdullah has consistently opposed the abrogation of Article 370. The controversy also raises questions about the accuracy of Dulat’s book and the motivations behind his claims.
Source: https://repository.inshorts.com/articles/en/PTI/5880e3bf-0a05-40d6-887a-465b5c760b3a
