Title: 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 India for a long time. The decision to revoke the Article was taken by the Indian government on August 5, 2019, and it has had far-reaching consequences for the region. Recently, a new controversy has emerged in the form of a claim made by former R&AW chief AS Dulat, who has written a book titled “The Chief Minister and the Spy”. Dulat has claimed that former J&K Chief Minister Farooq Abdullah privately backed the abrogation of Article 370.
However, Farooq Abdullah has denied the claim, calling it a “figment of imagination” of the author who claims to be his friend. The controversy has sparked a heated debate, with many questioning the validity of Dulat’s claim.
In his book, Dulat reportedly claims that Abdullah’s National Conference (NC) suggested that the abrogation of Article 370 would have helped in passing the Bill in Parliament. Dulat has written that he had a conversation with Abdullah in which the latter expressed his support for the measure. However, Abdullah has denied the claim, saying that it is not true.
Abdullah has also questioned Dulat’s motives for making the claim, saying that it is an attempt to tarnish his image. The former Chief Minister has said that he has been a strong advocate for the rights of the people of Jammu and Kashmir and has always worked to promote peace and stability in the region.
The BJP, which has been a strong supporter of the decision to revoke Article 370, has welcomed Dulat’s claim. Party spokespersons have said that the claim is a testament to the fact that the decision was taken after careful consideration and consultation with various stakeholders.
However, many have questioned the validity of Dulat’s claim, saying that it is an attempt to undermine the credibility of Abdullah and the NC. They have also pointed out that Dulat has a history of making controversial statements, and his claim should be taken with a pinch of salt.
The controversy has also sparked a debate on the role of intelligence agencies in politics. Many have questioned whether it is appropriate for intelligence chiefs to make public statements on political issues. Dulat, as the former chief of R&AW, has a reputation for being a seasoned intelligence professional, and his claim has raised questions about his motives for making the statement.
In conclusion, the controversy surrounding Dulat’s claim that Farooq Abdullah privately backed the abrogation of Article 370 has sparked a heated debate in India. While Dulat has stood by his claim, Abdullah has denied it, saying that it is a “figment of imagination”. The controversy has also raised questions about the role of intelligence agencies in politics and the validity of Dulat’s claim.
News Source:
https://repository.inshorts.com/articles/en/PTI/5880e3bf-0a05-40d6-887a-465b5c760b3a
