New Delhi: Justice TS Thakkar (retired) has recused himself from attending former Research and Analysis Wing (RAW) director AS Dulat’s new book “The Chief Minister and the Spy’. The book has triggered controversy in Kashmir as the book has some controversial references related to former J&K CM and National Conference Chief Farooq Abdullah.
In a letter addressed to AS Dulat, Justice (retd) Thakar said, “This has reference to your book “The Chief Minister and The Spy” scheduled to be launched tomorrow the 18.04.2025. While I had accepted your kind invitation to participate in the release function, I have since yesterday seen a political storm brewing in the print and electronic media for certain parts of your book especially those attributing certain statements to Dr Farooq Abdullah whom you admire and treat as a valued friend. I am sure you would have by now known that Dr Abdullah, has publicly disowned, if not denounced, the statements attributed to him.”
“Embarrassed to attend event”
The former judge also said that it would be an embarrassment for him to attend such an event in view of raging controversy and its political overtones.
“In the circumstances, you would kindly appreciate that the raging controversy and its political overtones would be an embarrassment for me which I would like to avoid not only on account of my long and cordial association with the Abdullah family but also because as a totally apolitical person I would not like to be seen promoting or endorsing a book which is being disowned by the very person about whom the same has been written. Besides Dr Abdullah who was supposed to be sharing the dais with Mr. Vir Sanghvi for a discussion on the book may also not be doing so,” Justice (retd) Thakkar added in his letter to former RAW chief.
What is the controversy?
The former RAW chief in his book wrote that when the Centre abrogated Article 370 in Kashmir, the NC chief Farooq Abdullah publicly slammed the move, but supported the move in private. However, Abdullah has called the claim as baseless and cheap stunts to boost the sales of the book.
“Apology for inconvenience”
The former judge also apologised for inconvenience regarding the event and said, “I am acutely conscious of the fact that my recusal on the eve of the launch date would inconvenience and force you to look for a substitute but given the situation in which I am placed, you will forgive me for the discomfiture that it may cause to you or the publisher of the book.”
