Kozhikode, Jan 26: Former RAW chief AS Dulat warned that the “happiness” felt by Kashmiris following the 2024 elections is merely “temporary”. As they eagerly await the fulfillment of the promise regarding Jammu and Kashmir’s statehood, the credibility of Chief Minister Omar Abdullah and the Central Government hangs in the balance.
On Saturday, Dulat remarked that Abdullah, who expressed a desire for a positive relationship with the central government right after assuming office, is not “asking for much” by advocating for the restoration of Jammu and Kashmir’s statehood.
“What is Omar requesting? What do Kashmiris expect? Article 370 has been revoked, but it remains a topic of concern for Kashmiris. While Omar acknowledges it won’t be reinstated, he longs for dignity through statehood.
“It is crucial for both Delhi and Srinagar to prioritize the return of statehood at the earliest. This is essential for the credibility of both sides; otherwise, both Omar and Delhi will face losses,” said Dulat, who led the external intelligence agency from 1999 to 2000.
He spoke at the ongoing Kerala Literature Festival (KLF) regarding his autobiography, “A Life in the Shadows: A Memoir,” published by HarperCollins India.
The 85-year-old expressed his concerns that the restoration of statehood to J-K, which he believes should have been addressed immediately post-elections, is not likely to occur soon.
“Currently, statehood has become a contentious issue. Delhi’s perspective is: ‘Yes, we are committed to restoring statehood, but we will decide when it happens.’ This may take a significant time,” he added.
The Narendra Modi-led government abrogated Article 370 of the Constitution in August 2019, which previously granted special status to Jammu and Kashmir, subsequently bifurcating the state into two Union Territories: Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh.
Dulat cautioned that the perceived “happiness” among Kashmiris is “temporary.” He noted that if no action is taken in the next six months to restore statehood to J-K, Kashmiris may again accuse “Delhi of deceiving” them and criticize the chief minister for failing to deliver.
“At present, people are momentarily pleased as they view this as a victory for Kashmiris. They now have the government they prefer, the National Conference, a regional party. It represents the Abdullah family, a prominent family in Kashmir.
“However, this victory is fleeting. If they do not receive what is rightfully theirs, people will soon say, ‘this government is inadequate’,” he explained.
Dulat remarked that J-K is currently experiencing a “diarchy,” with two parallel governments in operation—one led by Omar Abdullah and the other by Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha.
Acknowledging that Kashmir has been his greatest teacher in intelligence matters, Dulat, co-author of “Kashmir: The Vajpayee Years,” emphasized the need for Delhi to comprehend the region’s complexities.
He stressed that Kashmir is not defined in “black-and-white” terms; rather, it is filled with “greys” and nuances.
“In Kashmir, it is not merely about our desires or theirs, but about finding a middle ground. That is the path we must pursue,” he concluded.
The KLF, which started on January 23, is hosting around 500 speakers from 15 countries, attracting a vast audience of literary enthusiasts to the shores of Kozhikode. Attendees are enjoying engaging discussions led by prominent authors, actors, artists, historians, activists, and more.
The festival features notable speakers, including Nobel laureates Venki Ramakrishnan and Esther Duflo, Booker Prize-winning Irish novelist Paul Lynch, actors Naseeruddin Shah, Ratna Pathak Shah, and Prakash Raj, filmmaker Mani Ratnam, award-winning author-poet Perumal Murugan, and politician-author Shashi Tharoor. It is celebrated as Asia’s largest literature festival.
More than six lakh visitors are anticipated to attend the four-day literary festival, which concludes on Sunday. (Agencies)
