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The article delves into the controversy surrounding A.S. Dulat's book, 'The Chief Minister and the Spy: An Unlikely Friendship,' which focuses on his relationship with Farooq Abdullah, the former Chief Minister of Jammu and Kashmir. The core of the controversy stems from claims attributed to Dulat within the book, suggesting that Farooq Abdullah had prior knowledge of and tacit support for the abrogation of Article 370, the constitutional provision that granted special status to Jammu and Kashmir. The author, Vir Sanghvi, explores the context of these claims, Dulat's background, and the subsequent fallout, including Farooq Abdullah's denial of the allegations and his public disavowal of Dulat. The article highlights the role of social media in amplifying the controversy and the potential political motivations behind the backlash against Farooq Abdullah. Sanghvi points out the irony of Dulat, intending to celebrate his friendship with Farooq Abdullah, finding himself at the center of a political storm and ultimately being disowned by his friend. The piece offers a nuanced perspective on the complex political landscape of Kashmir and the sensitivity surrounding Article 370, while also touching upon the challenges of navigating truth and perception in the age of social media.
The article begins by framing the issue as a trending topic on social media, driven by Farooq Abdullah's political opponents seizing upon the claims made in Dulat's book. These opponents are using the claims to denounce Abdullah, prompting him to issue a denial regarding prior knowledge of the abrogation and condemn the allegations. The author immediately establishes that there is no evidence to support the view that Farooq Abdullah supported the abrogation of Article 370 or reached a secret understanding with Narendra Modi. Instead, the article sets out to explore the context and motivations behind the allegations, focusing on the source of the claims: A.S. Dulat. Dulat is presented as a highly respected former spy, having served as Special Director of the Intelligence Bureau (IB) and head of the Research & Analysis Wing (R&AW). After retirement, he served as the Prime Minister's Advisor on Kashmir, and he continues to be involved in Track Two diplomacy with Pakistan. However, within the spy world, he is perhaps best known as the 'Farooq Whisperer' due to his close relationship with Farooq Abdullah, developed during his time in Kashmir with the IB. This close relationship has led to Dulat being used by Delhi for secret negotiations and hand-holding with Farooq Abdullah over the years.
The author then describes the circumstances surrounding the book's publication and the initial assumptions made about its content. When Sanghvi learned that Dulat was writing a book about Farooq Abdullah, he suspected it would be a hagiography, given their close friendship. This suspicion was reinforced by the book's title, 'The Chief Minister and the Spy: An Unlikely Friendship,' and the numerous photos of the Dulats and Abdullahs together in the book. Sanghvi was asked to moderate a conversation with Dulat and Abdullah at the book launch, and he assumed that Farooq Abdullah had read and approved the manuscript. However, two days before the launch, social media erupted with reports that Dulat had written in the book that Farooq Abdullah had been informed by Narendra Modi about the impending abrogation of Article 370 and had secretly supported it. The author received an advance copy of the book and confirmed that it was a book written by a man who greatly admired his friend, while being full of insights about Kashmir politics. The author then highlights the specific passage that caused the controversy. Dulat wrote that in the days leading up to the abrogation, both Farooq and Omar Abdullah met with Prime Minister Narendra Modi, but what transpired during that meeting remains unknown. Dulat also wrote that Farooq had been willing to work with Delhi on legislation passed by the J&K assembly, stating, 'We would have helped', when Dulat met him in 2020. 'Why were we not taken into confidence?'
The author argues that this passage does not suggest that Farooq Abdullah conspired with Narendra Modi to abrogate Article 370 or lied about it. However, it does suggest that Farooq was willing to work with Delhi to get legislation passed by the J&K assembly, which some critics could interpret as not ruling out abrogation absolutely, but rather seeing it as a matter to be discussed by the state assembly. As the posts on social media gained traction, the author interviewed Dulat, who seemed surprised by the uproar. Dulat stated that he had never written any of the things that were being attributed to him and that the book wasn't even on sale yet. The author explained to Dulat that in the age of social media, perception often trumps reality. The pressure from the Abdullahs' political opponents became so intense that even members of the Abdullah family began denouncing Dulat. Dulat suspected that someone was 'making mischief' and did not rule out the possibility that people in power were behind the campaign to discredit Farooq Abdullah. By the time the author finished shooting the interview and got home, Farooq Abdullah had joined the fray, denying the allegations and disowning his old friend, claiming that Dulat had exaggerated his role in the events in Kashmir and insisted that he had never consulted him on anything.
Sanghvi concludes by expressing hope that the manufactured controversy will not divert attention from the book's insights. He also expresses sympathy for Dulat, who wrote a book to celebrate a friend only to be disowned by that friend. The author reflects on the changing times, where alternative facts often take the place of truth, and social media creates its own fake reality. He observes that Dulat, a seasoned spymaster, seems bemused by this new world, comparing him to George Smiley trying to understand cyber warfare. The article emphasizes the complex interplay of politics, personal relationships, and the power of social media in shaping public perception. It highlights the vulnerability of even seasoned political figures to the vagaries of online narratives and the potential for genuine friendships to be sacrificed in the face of political expediency. The author's perspective is both insightful and empathetic, acknowledging the nuances of the situation and avoiding simplistic conclusions. The article serves as a cautionary tale about the dangers of misinformation and the importance of critical thinking in the digital age. It also underscores the enduring sensitivity surrounding the issue of Kashmir and the abrogation of Article 370, which continues to be a source of contention and division within Indian politics.
Furthermore, the article subtly critiques the current political climate in India, suggesting that there is a deliberate effort to discredit Farooq Abdullah and portray him as a stooge who lies to his own people. This is evident in the author's questioning of Dulat about whether people in power are behind the social media campaign and Dulat's refusal to rule out that possibility. The article also implies that the government is exploiting the controversy to further its own agenda in Kashmir. This critique adds another layer of complexity to the narrative, suggesting that the controversy surrounding Dulat's book is not merely a matter of personal betrayal or social media misinformation, but also a reflection of the broader political dynamics at play in India. The article's strength lies in its balanced and nuanced approach to a highly sensitive issue. It avoids taking sides and presents multiple perspectives, allowing the reader to draw their own conclusions. The author's personal connection to the story, having been involved in the book launch and having interviewed both Dulat and Omar Abdullah, adds credibility to the narrative and provides valuable insights into the personalities and motivations of the key players involved. Overall, the article offers a comprehensive and insightful analysis of the controversy surrounding Dulat's book and its implications for Farooq Abdullah, Kashmir, and Indian politics.
Source: I feel bad for AS Dulat—wrote a book to celebrate Farooq Abdullah, only to be disowned by him