Srinagar: The Kashmir Society International has released the transcripts of an interactive session held ahead of the launch of Prof. Saifuddin Soz’s new book on Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel.
The discussion, hosted in Srinagar with author Dr. Khwaja Farooq Renzushah, explored key themes from Soz’s work and broader historical questions surrounding Kashmir.
According to the Kashmir Society, the session took place prior to the book’s official unveiling at Delhi Public School, Humhama, where scholars, writers and political figures gathered for the launch event.
During the pre-publication dialogue, Prof. Soze discussed several aspects of Patel’s political views, including Patel’s early thinking on Kashmir’s accession and his later opposition to halting Indian troop movements at the ceasefire lines drawn at Doemail and Uri.
He also spoke about contemporaneous leaders, water-sharing issues involving the Indus system, and his own experiences in national politics.
He discussed key themes from his book and related political questions in an extensive conversation with author Dr. Khwaja Farooq Renzushah, known for his works Cashmere Bear’s Throne and Sultana Kota Rani.
The session, held ahead of the launch of Prof. Soz’s book on Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, drew attention in Kashmir and beyond.
During the dialogue, Prof. Soz outlined Patel’s complex views on Kashmir and responded to questions on water rights.
Addressing the Indus Water Treaty, Soz said it was important to acknowledge the rights of both India and Pakistan over the rivers governed by the agreement.
Prof. Soz also reflected on national political events, including his vote in Parliament that contributed to the fall of the Atal Bihari Vajpayee government. He said that although Vajpayee was regarded as a moderate figure, he believed the former prime minister was constrained by the ideological positions of the RSS.
He also commented on the political atmosphere in Jammu and Kashmir at the time, alleging that former Chief Minister Farooq Abdullah was more focused on securing a cabinet position for his son than on broader public interests.
The Kashmir Society International said the interactive session was released to provide readers with a deeper understanding of the themes addressed in the book and to contribute to ongoing discussions around Kashmir’s political history.
The organisation, active since 1995, said it remains committed to promoting national harmony, cultural revival and de-radicalisation efforts in the region.
The book launch at DPS Humhama marked what the Society described as an important moment in its continued efforts to encourage scholarship and informed debate on Kashmir’s past and present.
