Kozhikode: Former RAW chief AS Dulat has warned that the joy Kashmiris feel after the 2024 elections might not last long, as the promise of restoring Jammu and Kashmir’s statehood remains unfulfilled.
He said both Chief Minister Omar Abdullah and the government of India risk losing trust if this issue isn’t addressed soon, PTI reported.
Speaking at the Kerala Literature Festival (KLF) about his memoir, A Life in the Shadows, Dulat said Omar Abdullah isn’t asking for much by demanding the restoration of statehood.
“What do Kashmiris want? Article 370 may be gone, but it hasn’t left their minds. Omar knows it won’t return. What he’s asking for is statehood – something tied to self-respect. Returning it would be in the best interests of both Delhi and Srinagar. If not, both will lose credibility,” PTI quoted Dulat as saying.
The former intelligence chief expressed his frustration over the delay, saying statehood should’ve been restored right after the elections. “Delhi’s attitude seems to be, ‘Yes, we’ll do it, but when we feel like it.’ This delay could drag on for a long time,” he added.
Dulat also pointed out that while Kashmiris are happy for now because the National Conference is back in power, this sentiment won’t last if expectations aren’t met. “Right now, people see it as a win for Kashmiris and the Abdullah family. But if they don’t get what’s due to them, they’ll soon criticize the government again,” he said.
He described the situation in J-K as a “diarchy,” with Omar Abdullah running one government and Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha heading another.
Reflecting on his years of working in Kashmir, Dulat emphasised the region’s complexities. “Kashmir isn’t black-and-white; it’s all about the greys. The real solution lies in finding a middle ground,” he said.
The KLF, running until January 28, has drawn thousands of visitors to Kozhikode beach, offering sessions with authors, actors, artists, and activists. Notable speakers include Nobel laureates, Booker winners, and filmmakers, making it one of Asia’s largest literary festivals.
