Srinagar, Apr 17: Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Thursday hit out at former R&AW chief A.S. Dulat over his recent remarks and writings about National Conference President Farooq Abdullah in his upcoming book, saying Dulat “does not support truth to sell books” and has a habit of humiliating his own friends.
Reacting to PDP leader Mehbooba Mufti’s endorsement of Dulat’s comments, Omar questioned her stance, asking whether she also believes what Dulat wrote about her father, Mufti Mohammad Sayeed, in his earlier book.
“If Mehbooba ji accepts everything written by Dulat sahib as true, then what Dulat sahib wrote about her father in his first book—should we also consider that true? And if so, how will she explain that to the people?” Omar asked.
He said Dulat’s past writings were filled with sensationalism and personal attacks. “In his first book, too, he didn’t forgive anyone. He didn’t hesitate to humiliate Farooq sahib even then. This time, again, he has done the same,”
Omar said while speaking to reporters.
Taking a sharp dig, Omar said, “When you have friends like Dulat sahib, there is no need for enemies.”
Omar Abdullah was responding to Dulat’s claims that Farooq Abdullah privately told him in 2020 that the National Conference could have helped with the abrogation of Article 370 had they been taken into confidence. The revelations have sparked reactions from across the political spectrum in Jammu and Kashmir.
Omar also weighed in on the ongoing hearing of the Waqf Act. Speaking on the issue, he said, “We hope the court’s final decision will address the concerns raised by the Muslim community. But it is important that no unrest or violence happens over this issue. People must maintain peace.”
Reacting to the recent remarks by Pakistan’s Army Chief on Kashmir, Omar said such statements are nothing new. “They have been saying the same thing for years. But if you’re going to talk about Indian territory under Pakistan’s control, why ignore the area in Ladakh that China has occupied?” he questioned.
