Farooq Abdullah Slams Ex-RAW Chief A.S. Dulat for Fictional Claims in Upcoming Book

‘Figment of Imagination’: Farooq Abdullah Rejects Dulat’s Article 370 Claims

Dulat’s Book Misrepresents Truth, Wounds Last a Lifetime: Farooq Abdullah

SRINAGAR, April 16: National Conference (NC) president and former Chief Minister Dr Farooq Abdullah has strongly refuted the assertions made by former RAW chief A.S. Dulat in his upcoming book “The Chief Minister and the Spy”, calling them a collection of inaccuracies and “a figment of imagination.” Dr Abdullah expressed disappointment over what he described as “cheap stunts” aimed at generating publicity and boosting the sale of the book, which is scheduled for release on April 18.

Reacting to Dulat’s claim that the National Conference would have supported the abrogation of Article 370 had the party been consulted, Dr Abdullah said such suggestions were “baseless” and reflected a complete detachment from reality. “There was no Assembly in place at the time in 2018, so the question of passing any resolution does not arise. Even if the Assembly had existed, I would never have considered passing such a proposal,” he clarified.

Dr Abdullah also highlighted the fact that both he and his son, Omar Abdullah, were detained for several months following the revocation of Jammu and Kashmir’s special status—a clear indication of their staunch opposition to the move. “We were jailed because our stand was well known,” he said, underlining his continued commitment to the constitutional safeguards of Jammu and Kashmir.

Referring to Dulat’s portrayal of their personal relationship, the NC chief said, “He claims to be my friend, but no real friend would write such misleading and hurtful things. As the saying goes, ‘Stab the body and it heals, but injure the heart and the wound lasts a lifetime.’” Dr Abdullah called into question the ethics of including such content under the pretense of friendship.

Dr Abdullah also took exception to specific factual errors in the book, such as the suggestion that he was advised by Dulat to keep a small Cabinet in 1996. “In reality, I was sworn in with 25 ministers, which hardly qualifies as a small Cabinet,” he said.

He further rejected the portrayal of himself as someone who always followed Dulat’s advice. “I am a man of independent thought and decision. I have never been anyone’s puppet,” he asserted.

On Dulat’s suggestion that the NC had sought closer ties with the BJP, Dr Abdullah was unequivocal in his denial. “This is an absolute lie. I have never attempted to align with a party that has systematically worked to weaken and dismantle my own,” he said.

Calling the memoir more fiction than fact, the NC president said he had to stop reading midway due to the sheer volume of inaccuracies. “It felt like I was reading a novel rather than a serious account of history or politics,” he remarked.

Dr Abdullah reiterated that such misrepresentations, especially when disguised as memoirs by those claiming friendship, serve no purpose other than misleading the public and harming reputations. He urged readers and commentators to approach the book with discernment and an understanding of the ground realities in Jammu and Kashmir.

Farooq Abdullah Slams Ex-RAW Chief A.S. Dulat
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