NC Denies Claims in Dulat’s Book
Suhail Khan
SRINAGAR, Apr 16: A controversial claim by former RAW chief A.S. Dulat has reignited debates over Jammu and Kashmir’s political dynamics, suggesting that National Conference patriarch Dr. Farooq Abdullah privately acquiesced to the revocation of Article 370, despite public opposition.
The revelations, detailed in Dulat’s book The Chief Minister and the Spy, paint a complex picture of the Abdullah family’s relationship with New Delhi.
Dulat describes Farooq Abdullah’s 2019 house arrest as a “tragic chapter” in Kashmir’s history. In a candid exchange, the veteran leader reportedly challenged his detention, asking, “Why arrest us if you planned to scrap Article 370 anyway?” While Abdullah later expressed bitter resignation—“Do it if you must”—his defiance of Delhi’s expectations post-release underscored his independent streak. Despite pressure to meet the Prime Minister after his 2020 detention, Abdullah delayed the encounter, citing medical treatments; a move Dulat interprets as a quiet rebuke to central authority.
The book highlights a stark contrast in how Farooq and his son, Omar Abdullah, former Chief Minister of the erstwhile state, engage with the central government. While Omar is portrayed as striving to align with Delhi’s directives, Farooq is depicted as a maverick who insists on parity. “He demands a level playing field but plays by his own rules—something Delhi never grasps,” Dulat notes, pointing to Farooq’s decades-long balancing act between regional identity and national politics.
Days before Article 370’s abrogation, Farooq and Omar Abdullah met privately with Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Dulat hints at the meeting’s significance but admits its details remain shrouded: “What was said behind closed doors? Farooq hasn’t spoken, and Delhi isn’t telling.” This opacity fuels speculation about unspoken agreements or tensions between the leaders.
Anecdotes in the book reveal New Delhi’s recurring miscalculations about Farooq Abdullah. In 2014, Intelligence Bureau officials scrambled to contact Abdullah in London, ostensibly to check on his health—a move Dulat dismisses as belated and superficial. “Even when they try to sideline him, Delhi can’t ignore his influence,” he writes, emphasizing Abdullah’s enduring role as the Valley’s political linchpin.
The book’s claims have sparked fresh scrutiny of the Abdullahs’ political strategies, raising questions about private pragmatism versus public posturing in one of India’s most contentious regions.
Meanwhile, the National Conference chief spokesperson, Tanvir Sadiq, rejected Mr. Dulat’s claims, stating that these were contradictory and aimed at creating controversy.
Speaking to the media, as per Kashmir Despatch, he said, “If you look at the book and what he writes in it, he contradicts his own words. He writes that the Government of India waited for seven months to see Farooq Abdullah Sahab’s reaction when he was in custody. If that was the case, then why did he promote the PAGD (People’s Alliance for Gupkar Declaration) after coming out?”
“Dulat contradicts his own statement in the book. Farooq Abdullah took PAGD forward, and he made it. He wouldn’t have done it if it were true,” NC Chief Spokesperson and legislator Tanvir Sadiq said.
Reacting further to this issue, Farooq Abdullah’s daughter, Safia Abdullah Khan, alleged that Mr. Dulat has tried to play with the truth in his book.
She wrote on ‘X’, “I have never trusted Dulat as far as I could throw him. He was always a spy whose loyalty was only to himself. He never cared whom he threw under the bus with his previous books. I have read this book, and he has played fast and loose with the truth once again.” Replying to her post, NC social media and digital platforms in-charge Ifra Jan said, “Honestly, how desperate can a person be to stay relevant?”
Meanwhile, opposition political leaders slammed Dr Farooq Abdullah over massive revelation.
People’s Democratic Party Leader Waheed ul Rehman Para, On the remarks made in former RAW chief AS Dulat’s latest book ‘The CM and the Spy’, said, “The statement that he has given, it was mentioned in the book, Farooq Abdullah has been a close friend of ex-RAW chief AS Dulat, he said in his book that Farooq Abdullah was onboard for abrogation of Article 370, Farooq Abdullah met the PM, there was silence for six months, there was communication blockade, there was crackdown on PDP, Jamaat-e-Islami was banned, then the elections happened, NC won 50 seats, they took vote on Article 370, statehood, political prisoners, land rights… Article 370 was not mentioned in resolution, no resolution was passed on Waqf Act… The situation is still bad, but the government is silent… The NC should give clarity on revelation of AS Dulat.” He added.
Training guns at Abdullah over his absence during the passage of the Bill in the Parliament in 2019, Mehbooba Mufti’s daughter Iltija said that the revelations have made it clear that the NC chief “chose to stay in Kashmir instead of the Parliament” to “help” the “betrayal” of Jammu and Kashmir.
“Dulat sahab an ardent Abdullah supporter has shared how Farooq sahab agreed with Delhi’s illegal move of abrogating Article 370. There were already doubts about what transpired between the Abdullahs & PM days before J&Ks special status was revoked. With this it’s clear that Farooq sahab chose to stay in Kashmir instead of the Parliament to help normalise gutting of J&Ks constitution & subsequent betrayal,” Mufti posted on X.
Junaid Azim Mattu, Former Mayor of Srinagar, took a swipe at Abdullah and said, “Something seems to have fallen out of NC’s bag YET AGAIN and it does seem to be a cat. Commiserations to the vulnerable, gullible people of Kashmir”.
J&K People’s Conference chief Sajad Lone hit out at Abdullah and said that the claims made by Dulat are “very credible” as he is the “closest ally” of the former chief minister.
“Coming from Dullat sahib makes this revelation very credible. Dullat sahib is the closest ally of and friend of Farooq sahib. Virtually his alter ego,” Lone posted on X.
He said that he was “not surprised” at the revelation as Abdullah’s meeting with the Prime Minister before the abrogation of Article 370 “was never a mystery for me”.
“I personally am not surprised at this revelation. The August 4 2019 meeting of CM sahib and Farooq sahib with the PM was never a mystery for me. I can visualise Farooq sahib saying — Humey roney deejiye— Aap apna kaam karein— hum aap kay Saath hain—- It now seems 2024 was a prize for services rendered in 2019. Of course in national interest,” he said, taking a swipe at the National Conference’s 2024 J&K Assembly election victory.
Suhail Khan is a filmmaker, content writer, and freelance journalist.
