Ex-R&AW chief Dulat claims Farooq privately backed Article 370 abrogation, he denies
In a recent book titled ‘The Chief Minister and the Spy’, former Research and Analysis Wing (R&AW) chief AS Dulat has made a stunning claim about the abrogation of Article 370. According to Dulat, former Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Farooq Abdullah privately backed the move to revoke the special status of the state. However, Farooq Abdullah has strongly denied this claim, calling it a “figment of imagination” of the author.
In his book, Dulat reportedly mentions that Abdullah’s National Conference (NC) suggested that the abrogation of Article 370 would have helped in passing the Bill in parliament. This claim has sent shockwaves in the political circles, with many questioning the veracity of Dulat’s statement.
Dulat, who served as the chief of R&AW from 1999 to 2000, has been a close acquaintance of Abdullah, with whom he has shared a long-standing friendship. This close relationship has been highlighted by Dulat himself in his book, where he describes Abdullah as a “friend” who would often seek his advice on matters of national importance.
However, Abdullah has been quick to dismiss Dulat’s claim, calling it a “figment of imagination” that has no basis in reality. In a statement, Abdullah’s office maintained that Dulat’s claim is “completely false and baseless” and that the former CM has never supported the abrogation of Article 370.
Abdullah’s denial has been corroborated by several other sources close to the former CM, who have stated that he has always been a strong advocate for Article 370 and has consistently opposed any efforts to dilute its provisions.
The controversy surrounding Dulat’s claim has once again raised questions about the role of individual politicians in the complex web of national politics. While Dulat’s claim may have sparked a debate about the motivations behind the abrogation of Article 370, it also highlights the importance of verifying information and separating fact from fiction in the world of politics.
It is worth noting that the abrogation of Article 370 was a highly controversial move that was carried out by the Narendra Modi-led government in August 2019. The move, which stripped the state of its special status and reorganized it into two union territories – Jammu and Kashmir, and Ladakh – was widely criticized by opposition parties and political leaders from the region.
In the wake of Dulat’s claim, there have been calls for Abdullah to clarify his position on the matter. However, it remains to be seen how this controversy will play out in the coming days and weeks.
In conclusion, the controversy surrounding Dulat’s claim has highlighted the complexities of national politics and the need for transparency and accountability in the way information is presented to the public. While Dulat’s claim may have sparked a debate about the motivations behind the abrogation of Article 370, it is essential that we separate fact from fiction and verify information before jumping to conclusions.
Source: https://repository.inshorts.com/articles/en/PTI/5880e3bf-0a05-40d6-887a-465b5c760b3a
