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. However, Abdullah has vehemently denied this claim, calling it a “figment of imagination of the author who claims to be my friend”.
In his book, Dulat reportedly writes that Abdullah’s National Conference (NC) had suggested that the abrogation of Article 370 would have helped in passing the Bill. Dulat, who was the R&AW chief from 1999 to 2000, claims that he was privy to this information through his sources.
However, Abdullah has strongly refuted Dulat’s claims, saying that they are baseless and without any truth. In a statement, Abdullah said, “I deny the entire story. This is a figment of imagination of the author who claims to be my friend. I have always maintained that Article 370 is a constitutional provision and it is the responsibility of the government to take decisions on it.”
The controversy surrounding Article 370 has been ongoing for several years, with the BJP-led government at the Centre abrogating the provision in August 2019. The move was met with widespread protests and criticism from several quarters, including the opposition parties and some sections of the civil society.
The abrogation of Article 370 was seen as a major blow to the special status of Jammu and Kashmir, which had been granted to the state under the Constitution. The provision had given the state autonomy to make its own laws and decisions on matters such as land ownership, employment, and education.
The controversy surrounding Dulat’s claims has raised several questions about the nature of the relationship between the R&AW chief and Abdullah. Dulat, who is known for his close ties with several politicians, has been accused of being a “spymaster” who uses his position to influence political decisions.
Abdullah, who has been a prominent figure in Jammu and Kashmir politics for several decades, has been criticized by some for his perceived closeness to the BJP-led government at the Centre. However, he has maintained that he has always been committed to the cause of the people of Jammu and Kashmir and has worked to protect their interests.
The controversy surrounding Dulat’s claims has also raised questions about the credibility of the R&AW chief’s book. Dulat, who is known for his extensive experience in intelligence gathering and analysis, has been accused of being a “spin doctor” who uses his position to promote his own agenda.
In conclusion, the controversy surrounding Dulat’s claims about Abdullah’s alleged backing of the abrogation of Article 370 is a complex one that raises several questions about the nature of the relationship between the R&AW chief and Abdullah. While Dulat claims that Abdullah privately backed the abrogation of Article 370, Abdullah has vehemently denied these claims, calling them a “figment of imagination”.
Source: https://repository.inshorts.com/articles/en/PTI/5880e3bf-0a05-40d6-887a-465b5c760b3a
