Dulat’s Revelation on Farooq Abdullah’s ‘Private Support’ for Article 370 Revocation Triggers Political Uproar
Srinagar, April 16 – Former RAW Chief A.S. Dulat has sparked a major political controversy with a revelation in his new book “The Chief Minister and The Spy”, claiming that veteran Kashmiri leader and National Conference President Dr. Farooq Abdullah “privately supported” the abrogation of Article 370 in 2019 — a move that stripped Jammu & Kashmir of its special constitutional status.
🟠 Dulat Claim: Farooq Privately Backed the Move
According to Dulat, Dr. Farooq Abdullah, who publicly opposed the Centre’s decision in August 2019 and described it as a betrayal of Kashmiris, allegedly expressed a far more cooperative stance in private conversations. The former intelligence chief quotes Abdullah as saying, “We would have cooperated… why weren’t we brought in?”
This revelation, made in the backdrop of a long-standing personal and professional rapport between Dulat and the Abdullah family, casts a fresh spotlight on what actually transpired behind closed doors during one of the most consequential moments in Kashmir’s political history.
🔹 The August 4, 2019 Meeting with PM Modi
Dulat points to a critical meeting on August 4, 2019, just a day before Article 370 was revoked. In this meeting:
- Dr. Farooq Abdullah and his son Omar Abdullah met Prime Minister Narendra Modi in New Delhi.
- Although the details of the discussion were never made public, Dulat now suggests that this meeting wasn’t just routine, but a possible soft nod of approval from the National Conference leadership.
This insight has triggered speculation over whether senior Kashmiri leaders were aware of — or complicit in — the political shift that followed.
🟢 House Arrest and Political Theatre
Following the abrogation, Farooq Abdullah was detained under preventive custody for seven months. But Dulat claims the detention was symbolic, stating that Farooq’s private reaction was more resigned than resistant. He reportedly told Dulat: “Kar lo agar karna hai… Par yeh arrest kyu karna tha?” — loosely translated as, “Do it if you have to, but why the arrest?”
Dulat implies that the Centre used this period to assess whether Abdullah would adapt to the new political realities.
🔴 Political Reactions Across the Spectrum
The claims have led to fierce reactions from political leaders in Jammu and Kashmir, reigniting intra-regional tensions and skepticism.
Sajad Gani Lone, President of the People’s Conference and MLA from Handwara, posted a strongly worded response on X:
- Said he was “not surprised” at the revelation.
- Described Dulat as “virtually Farooq Sahib’s alter ego” and a long-time confidant.
- Claimed the August 4, 2019 meeting between the Abdullahs and the PM was never a mystery for him.
- Accused the National Conference of playing a “victim card” in public while quietly aligning with the Centre behind the scenes.
- Asserted: “It now seems 2024 was a prize for services rendered in 2019 — of course, in national interest.”
Iltija Mufti, PDP leader and daughter of former CM Mehbooba Mufti, also condemned the alleged role of the Abdullahs:
- Claimed that the book confirms long-held suspicions about a behind-the-scenes deal.
- Accused Farooq Abdullah of staying back in Kashmir to “help normalize the betrayal” rather than fighting it in Parliament.
- Wrote on X: “Dulat sahab, an ardent Abdullah supporter, has shared how Farooq sahab agreed with Delhi’s illegal move of abrogating Article 370.”
🟡 National Conference Denies Claims
The National Conference (NC) has strongly rejected Dulat’s version of events.
- Party leaders described the book’s account as “fabricated fiction”.
- Maintained that Dr. Farooq Abdullah has consistently opposed the abrogation and has never deviated from that position — neither in public nor private.
📘 About the A.S Dulat’s Book
A.S. Dulat’s “The Chief Minister and The Spy” offers a rare insider view into India’s political-intelligence nexus, especially in the context of Kashmir. Known for his previous book “Kashmir: The Vajpayee Years”, Dulat remains a credible voice on Kashmir affairs, often admired for his deep connections with regional leaders and intelligence history.
📘 About Article Source
Inputs from Free press Journal
