Srinagar, April 18 (KNS): In a dramatic turn of events that has captivated Kashmir's political circles, the Awami National Conference (ANC) finds itself at the epicenter of a brewing controversy surrounding the launch of a high-profile book authored by former intelligence chief A.S. Dulat. What began as a routine literary event has rapidly escalated into a revealing episode that lays bare the complex web of family politics, historical grievances, and unresolved tensions in the valley.
According to a statement issued to KNS, Begum Khalida Shah, the matriarch of ANC and a towering figure in Kashmir's political landscape, had decisively rejected the invitation to preside over the book launch. As the elder sister of Dr. Farooq Abdullah and wife of former Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister G.M. Shah, her rebuff carries significant political weight and has sent ripples across party lines.
Sources close to the ANC leadership reveal that Begum Shah's decision wasn't made lightly. Her refusal explicitly cites the acrimonious collapse of the People's Alliance for Gupkar Declaration (PAGD) and the subsequent deterioration of relations between the ANC and the National Conference (NC).
Adding fuel to the fire were Dr. Abdullah's pointed public criticisms of his brother-in-law during recent election campaigns, particularly his controversial characterization of the watershed 1984 split in the National Conference—a historical moment that continues to cast long shadows over Kashmir's political terrain.
In an exclusive interaction with reporters, ANC Senior Vice President Muzaffar Shah, who has emerged as the party's most vocal figure in this controversy, offered a candid assessment of the situation.
"We received the invitation, certainly," Shah acknowledged with characteristic forthrightness. "However, the book contains elements that demand scrutiny. A chapter entitled 'betrayal in 1984' requires rigorous fact-checking before we could associate ourselves with such a narrative.Click Here To Follow Our WhatsApp Channel"
Muzaffar Shah, whose political acumen has earned him respect across political spectrum, didn't mince words when addressing what he perceives as historical revisionism. "Personal loyalties shouldn't be allowed to distort historical records," he asserted, in what observers interpret as a direct challenge to Dulat's portrayal of events. "The ANC stands as the guardian of historical accuracy in Kashmir's political chronicle."
The ANC leader's comments reveal a deeper concern about how Kashmir's complex political history is being narrated and preserved.
"The disintegration of the PAGD wasn't a simple political realignment—it was a watershed moment that deserves comprehensive documentation without verbal sleight of hand or selective memory," Shah emphasized, reinforcing the ANC's position as self-appointed custodians of Kashmir's political truth.
Perhaps most significantly, Muzaffar Shah elevated the discussion beyond regional politics, framing it as a matter of international consequence. "We're not merely discussing local political squabbles," he insisted. "Kashmir's narrative carries global implications. The record must reflect reality, not convenient interpretations."
In what promises to be a dramatic countermove, the ANC leadership has announced plans for what Muzaffar Shah describes as a "major press conference" upon his return to Srinagar.
Political analysts anticipate this event will serve as the ANC's platform to systematically refute claims made in Dulat's book while simultaneously reasserting the party's historical perspective and political relevance.
This unfolding confrontation has reignited public interest in the ANC's version of Kashmir's political history, particularly regarding the contentious events of 1984 and more recent political realignments.(KNS)