Former Raw chief Amarjeet Singh Dulat has clarified amid controversies about his new book ‘The Chief Minister and the Spy’. He said that former Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Farooq Abdullah never supported the removal of Article 370. Dulat has dismissed these claims as “nonsense” and “media stunts”.
Dulat, an experienced IPS officer, said in an interview that the purpose of his book is not to discuss Article 370. Rather it is written with the intention of appreciating a great person Farooq Abdullah. He said that this book would not affect him and Abdullah’s friendship. He said, “Friendship does not end just because someone said something trivial.”
He said that Abdullah is expected to attend the book release program and said that he himself spoke to him 10-15 days ago. In which Abdullah assured to attend.
Dulat also remembered that when Farooq Abdullah was very hurt by the removal of Article 370 on 5 August 2019 by the Central Government. He said, “It is well known that Farooq Sahab has said many times that he has stood with Delhi and will always stand. But it is Delhi which could not understand him.”
He further clarified that a few days before Article 370 was removed, Farooq Abdullah, Omar Abdullah and one of his MPs had met the Prime Minister. But despite this, he was placed under house arrest. Dulat quoted Abdullah as saying, “If the government wanted to do so. Then we should have taken them into confidence.”
Dulat insisted that he did not write anywhere in his book that Farooq Abdullah supported the removal of Article 370. He also dismissed the claim that he was raising controversy to increase the sale of the book. He taunted, “If someone is saying that I have drawn a cheap stunt to sell my book, it is fine. I have no objection.”
Praising Farooq Abdullah, Dulat said that there is no nationalist leader like him in Kashmir. He also said that the government of the overwhelming majority of the National Conference is the most positive option for Kashmir. And this is the same family that can take the state forward.
He denied the role of other political parties, saying, “Only the National Conference can take Kashmir forward. It is the family that will carry it forward. Other parties will also have to play a role in it.”
Amarjeet Singh Dulat is in discussions because of his books. He is the author of popular books like “The Spai Chronicle” and “Kashmir The Vajpayee Days”.
