Dulat Doesn’t Go With the Truth,Twisting Facts to Sell Copies Omar Abdullah Defends Farooq Abdullah
Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah has strongly criticised former RAW chief Amarjit Singh Dulat, accusing him of twisting facts in his latest book, The Chief Minister and the Spy, to drive up sales and target his father, Dr Farooq Abdullah.
Omar Accuses Dulat of Misleading Readers
Speaking at a press briefing on Thursday, Omar Abdullah dismissed the claims made in Dulat’s book as false and misleading—particularly the allegation that Farooq Abdullah had supported the abrogation of Article 370 behind closed doors.
“To sell his book, it is Dulat sahib’s habit not to go with the truth,” Omar said. “In his first book, he spared no one, and in this one, he left no stone unturned to humiliate Farooq sahib.”
Omar also took a sharp dig at Dulat, remarking, “When you have friends like this, there is no need for enemies.” He suggested that the former intelligence officer had exploited a long-standing friendship for personal publicity.
Controversial Claims Around Article 370
Dulat’s book has sparked political debate, claiming that Farooq Abdullah was aware of the Centre’s plans to revoke Article 370 in 2019 and may have quietly supported the move if consulted. Both Farooq and Omar have rejected this narrative, calling it completely inaccurate.
Farooq Abdullah responded directly: “He is resorting to cheap stunts to boost his book sales. This book is full of factual errors. If he considers me a friend, then this was not the way to treat one.”
Omar Abdullah also noted that there was no functioning assembly at the time Article 370 was revoked, making any suggestion of political support from the NC ungrounded.
PDP’s Mehbooba Mufti Enters the Debate
The issue took another political turn when PDP president Mehbooba Mufti backed parts of Dulat’s claims, using them to criticise the National Conference’s history of shifting alliances.
“It’s no surprise. The NC has always changed its stand depending on whether they are in power or not,” Mehbooba said, referring to historical events going back to 1947.
Omar Abdullah, in turn, challenged her stance: “If Mehbooba Ji accepts everything Dulat Sahib has written about Farooq sahib, then does she also accept what he wrote about her father in his earlier book?”
National Conference Defends Its Legacy
In response to the controversy, the National Conference released a strong statement, describing Dulat’s book as a “desperate attempt at attention-seeking.” Party leaders rallied around Farooq Abdullah, highlighting his unwavering opposition to the 2019 decision to revoke Jammu and Kashmir’s special status.
Senior leaders, including General Secretary Ali Muhammad Sagar, stressed that Farooq had played a key role in uniting regional parties under the People’s Alliance for Gupkar Declaration (PAGD) to oppose Delhi’s move.
Dulat Responds to the Criticism
Amid mounting backlash, Amarjit Singh Dulat responded by saying that his words were “misquoted” and that the book actually portrayed Farooq Abdullah in a “positive light.”
“Nowhere have I written that he supported Article 370’s abrogation. That’s just media spin. I’ve only written what I’ve seen and heard,” Dulat told ANI.
Still, Omar remained doubtful: “If Dulat thought Farooq sahib would support him after this, he is mistaken. Don’t expect him to show up at your book launch,” he said pointedly.
Conclusion: Memoir Sparks Political Showdown
As tensions flare between political rivals and former allies, Dulat’s memoir has triggered a fresh wave of political debate in Jammu and Kashmir. While the NC defends its position and legacy, opposition parties are seizing the moment to question past alliances and motives. In a region where history, politics, and personal ties often collide, one book has once again stirred the pot.
