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 contentious issue in the country for quite some time. The move, which was announced by the government in August 2019, has been met with widespread protests and criticism from various quarters. In his new book, ‘The Chief Minister and the Spy’, former R&AW chief AS Dulat has made a surprising claim that former J&K Chief Minister Farooq Abdullah privately backed the abrogation of Article 370.
According to Dulat, Abdullah’s National Conference (NC) party suggested that the abrogation of Article 370 would have helped in passing the Bill. Dulat, who was the chief of the Research and Analysis Wing (R&AW) during the UPA government, claims that he had a conversation with Abdullah about this, and that the latter had expressed his support for the move.
However, Abdullah has strongly denied Dulat’s claim, calling it a “figment of imagination” of the author. In a statement, Abdullah said that he had never discussed the abrogation of Article 370 with Dulat, and that the claim was baseless. He also questioned the timing of the claim, saying that it was an attempt to undermine his credibility.
The controversy surrounding Dulat’s claim has sparked a heated debate in the country, with many questioning the accuracy of the former spy chief’s account. Some have pointed out that Dulat’s claim is inconsistent with Abdullah’s public stance on the issue, and that it is unlikely that the former CM would have privately backed the abrogation of Article 370 without making it public.
Others have questioned the credibility of Dulat himself, pointing out that he has a history of making sensational claims and statements. Dulat has been known for his controversial views on various issues, including the Kashmir crisis, and many have accused him of being biased and partisan.
Despite the controversy surrounding Dulat’s claim, it is clear that the issue of Article 370 and the abrogation of special status to Jammu and Kashmir is a complex and sensitive one. The move has been met with widespread protests and criticism from various quarters, and many have expressed concerns about the impact it will have on the region.
The controversy surrounding Dulat’s claim has also raised questions about the role of the R&AW and the government in the abrogation of Article 370. Some have accused the government of using the R&AW to gather intelligence and manipulate public opinion on the issue, while others have questioned the agency’s neutrality and credibility.
In conclusion, the controversy surrounding Dulat’s claim that Farooq Abdullah privately backed the abrogation of Article 370 has sparked a heated debate in the country. While Dulat’s claim has sparked controversy, it is clear that the issue of Article 370 and the abrogation of special status to Jammu and Kashmir is a complex and sensitive one. The government’s decision to abrogate Article 370 has been met with widespread protests and criticism, and many have expressed concerns about the impact it will have on the region.
Sources:
https://repository.inshorts.com/articles/en/PTI/5880e3bf-0a05-40d6-887a-465b5c760b3a
