Modi Government Ignoring Ambedkar’s & Patel’s Advice; Waqf Act Unconstitutional and Void Ab Initio

2 months ago 81

It’s the strangest of paradoxes that Amarjit Singh Dulat’s book ‘The Chief Minister and The Spy’ should have so deeply offended Farooq Abdullah. Described in the preface as “my story of my knowledge of Farooq Abdullah”, the book was written with his support. “We spoke about it umpteen times”, Dulat writes. “ ‘Karo na’, he said. (Go ahead).” The truth is the book is a paean of praise. It first claims: “I have come to believe that Farooq is the National Conference. It is difficult to imagine what would remain of the NC if Farooq was not around.” But it goes further. “I’d come to realize … that Doctor Sahib was not just a Chief Minister. He was Kashmir.” In interviews, Dulat said Farooq is greater than his father Sheikh Abdullah and “probably the tallest leader in the country today”. That’s exaggerated praise but Dulat means every word of it. The book understands the predicament Abdullah has had to contend with. Abdullah “wanted to be a bridge between Srinagar and Delhi … he was in politics to work with Delhi, not against it”. But the problem is Delhi did not grasp this. “Delhi has never really understood Farooq Abdullah or his ideals … there was something about him that was simply beyond the Capital’s comprehension.” That’s one aspect of the Abdullah predicament. The other is the tension between Abdullah and the Kashmiri people. They don’t trust Delhi. “There is immense mistrust attached to any institution vaguely associated with Delhi. The Kashmiri is immediately on his guard.” Consequently “The (Abdullah) family has faced the wrath of Kashmir’s citizens … for their loyalty to India.” This means, on the one hand, Farooq Abdullah wants to reach out to Delhi but the response is less than fulsome. On the other, his own people are not convinced of what he’s attempting. Instead of full support he often faces their wrath. In fact, Dulat is very insightful of a conundrum that separates Kashmiri politics from rest of the nation. “Kashmiri leaders talk a different language in Kashmir” he writes, “and a different language in Delhi”. Dulat does not perceive this as hypocrisy but some form of what the French call politesse. The reality of survival imposes this. It’s not opportunism. The Farooq Abdullah story Dulat relates centres around three great betrayals he has faced. The abrogation of Article 370 is one of them, even if Dulat has handled it ineptly. The other two would be to Farooq Abdullah’s liking. The first is how he was ousted at midnight in 1984. Dulat squarely blames Indira Gandhi and believes the impact on Abdullah was devastating. “The entire incident left a scar on Farooq’s psyche that has never healed … I don’t think he has recovered from that. Nor do I think he ever will.” I doubt if Abdullah would disagree. The second happened in 2002 when Vajpayee and Advani offered Abdullah the Vice-Presidency and then reneged. “Farooq was elated.” Dulat writes. “His life’s ambition had been to one day become President of India and this was the penultimate step to that goal.” Of the bond that binds them – and I believe it still does even if it’s presently under stress – Dulat writes: “How much Doctor Sahib has trusted me, I will never know – and how much I knew of him he will never understand.” Only friends who understand each other can make such a claim. And yet there are clearly gaps in Dulat’s understanding. Otherwise the unfortunate controversy over the allegation that Abdullah would have been willing to help abrogate Article 370 if he had been taken into confidence would never have arisen. The irony is Dulat makes this precise point in his first chapter. “In the three decades that I have known Farooq, I can’t say with any real confidence that I truly know him. You see, that is the enigma of Doctor Sahib. It is not easy to know him.” What happened last week was a tragic way of proving Dulat’s point. Join The Wire's Youtube Membership and get exclusive content, member-only emojis, live interaction with The Wire's founders, editors and reporters and much more. Memberships to The Wire Crew start at Rs 89/month. https://www.youtube.com/channel/UChWtJey46brNr7qHQpN6KLQ/join

The Vision and Mission of Upilink News - Empowering Informed Citizens

Welcome to Upilink News, your gateway to unbiased news, investigative journalism, and a platform free from government censorship. At Upilink, we believe in the power of information to empower citizens, fostering a well-informed society capable of making informed decisions.

Our platform, hosted at www.news.upilink.in, is meticulously curated to provide users with a reliable source of news, steering clear of propaganda and ensuring the delivery of objective reporting.

The Need for Upilink News

In an era where information is abundant but often tainted with bias and misinformation, the need for a trustworthy news source has never been more critical. Upilink News recognizes this necessity and strives to fill the gap by offering a carefully curated selection of news from diverse, reputable sources.

Our commitment to unbiased reporting and investigative journalism distinguishes us as a beacon of truth in the digital news landscape.

Our Unique Approach

What sets Upilink News apart is our meticulous selection process for news sources.

We prioritize transparency, accountability, and reliability in our curation, ensuring that only the most credible and unbiased reports make it to our platform.

Our team of experienced journalists and fact-checkers work tirelessly to sift through the noise and present users with news that stands up to scrutiny.

The Role of Investigative Journalism

Investigative journalism is at the heart of Upilink News. We understand that a well-functioning democracy relies on an informed citizenry, and investigative reporting plays a pivotal role in uncovering the truth. By supporting and promoting investigative journalism, we aim to contribute to a more transparent and accountable society.

Sustaining Upilink News - Your Support Matters

Free Access for All

At Upilink News, we firmly believe that access to information should be a fundamental right for everyone. Therefore, our platform is entirely free to use, allowing users from all walks of life to stay informed without any financial barrier.

Donations - Fueling Independent Journalism

To sustain our commitment to unbiased reporting and investigative journalism, we rely on the generosity of our users. Your donations go directly towards supporting our team, maintaining our infrastructure, and enabling us to continually improve and expand our coverage.

By contributing, you become a vital part of the Upilink community, driving the mission to keep information free and accessible.

Advertisement - Balancing Sustainability

In addition to donations, we embrace advertisements as a means of generating revenue to support Upilink News.

In conclusion, Upilink News is more than just a news aggregator; it's a commitment to empowering citizens through unbiased information.

Join us in our mission, explore the diverse and credible news on our platform, and consider supporting us through donations. Together, let's build a community that values truth, transparency, and the power of an informed citizenry.