Says Dulat Uses Controversy to Sell Books; Expects Court to Address Muslim Concerns on Waqf Bill
Diplomat Correspondent
Srinagar, (DD): Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Thursday took a pointed dig at PDP president Mehbooba Mufti for embracing the claims made in former RAW chief A.S. Dulat’s new book “The Chief Minister and the Spy.” He said that if she considers everything written in it as true, she should also be prepared to respond to what Dulat wrote about her father, the late Mufti Mohammad Sayeed, in his previous publication.
“If Mehbooba Ji believes everything written by Dulat Sahib is true, then she should also explain what he wrote about her father in his earlier book,” Omar told reporters in Srinagar.
He accused Dulat of pushing sensationalism for commercial gain. “To sell his book, it has become Dulat Sahib’s habit to stir controversy rather than stick to the truth. In his first book, he spared no one, and in this one, he has left no opportunity to target Farooq Sahib,” he said.
“It’s often said that with friends like these, you don’t need enemies. Farooq Sahib has now come to see Dulat’s true colours,” the chief minister added.
On the ongoing legal scrutiny of the Waqf Act, Omar said he hopes the court’s verdict will address the legitimate concerns raised by the Muslim community. “We expect the decision to bring clarity and solutions. There should be no unrest or violence over the Bill,” he emphasized.
Responding to the recent statement made by the Pakistan Army Chief on Kashmir, Omar downplayed its significance. “There’s nothing new in that statement. They’ve been saying this for years. But when Indian leaders talk about Pakistan-occupied territories, why does no one speak about the part of Ladakh under Chinese control?” he asked.(DD)