Omar Abdullah Challenges Mehbooba Mufti Over Dulat’s Revelations”
Srinagar, 17 April 2025: In a fiery exchange of words, Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah has taken a sharp dig at Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) chief Mehbooba Mufti, questioning her stance on the revelations made by former RAW chief A.S. Dulat in his latest book. The book, which has already sparked a political storm, alleges that National Conference (NC) leader Farooq Abdullah privately supported the abrogation of Article 370. Mehbooba Mufti, in response, claimed that these revelations were “nothing new” to her.
Omar’s Counterattack: A Question of Consistency
Speaking to reporters in Jammu, Omar Abdullah posed a pointed question to Mehbooba Mufti: if she believes Dulat’s claims about Farooq Abdullah, does she also accept what Dulat wrote about her father, the late Mufti Mohammad Sayeed, in his earlier book? Omar’s remarks were laced with sarcasm as he accused Dulat of exaggerating facts to boost book sales. “With friends like this, who needs enemies?” he quipped.
The Political Fallout
Dulat’s book has reignited debates about the political dynamics in Jammu and Kashmir, particularly surrounding the abrogation of Article 370 in August 2019. Mehbooba Mufti alleged that Farooq Abdullah and Omar Abdullah had met Prime Minister Narendra Modi just days before the historic decision, a claim that Omar has vehemently denied.
Farooq Abdullah, on the other hand, dismissed Dulat’s claims as a “cheap stunt” aimed at increasing book sales. He expressed disappointment, stating that Dulat’s writings were filled with inaccuracies and sensationalism.
A Broader Context
The controversy comes at a time when Jammu and Kashmir’s political landscape is already fraught with tension. The Waqf (Amendment) Act, 2025, and recent remarks by Pakistan’s Army Chief on Kashmir have added to the charged atmosphere. Omar Abdullah also weighed in on these issues, urging people to trust the judiciary and avoid resorting to violence.
