New Delhi, Apr 18: Former Chief Justice of India, Justice T.S. Thakur, has withdrawn from the launch event of A.S. Dulat’s book “The Chief Minister and The Spy” citing the political controversy surrounding certain remarks attributed to National Conference patron and former Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Dr. Farooq Abdullah.
In a letter addressed to Dulat, a former R&AW chief, Justice Thakur expressed his inability to attend the book launch scheduled for today (April 18), saying he wished to avoid “embarrassment” amid the ongoing row in the media. “While I had accepted your kind invitation… I have since yesterday seen a political storm brewing in the print and electronic media for certain parts of your book,” he wrote.
Justice Thakur, as per the news agency Kashmir News Trust, pointed out that the controversy stems from statements in the book that have been publicly disowned by Dr. Farooq Abdullah, whom Thakur described as a “valued friend.” He added that his decision was shaped by his long-standing relationship with the Abdullah family and his desire to remain “totally apolitical.”
“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,” Justice Thakur stated. He also noted that Dr Abdullah, who was expected to appear alongside journalist Vir Sanghvi in a panel discussion at the event, may also no longer be participating.
Offering apologies for the “discomfiture” his last-minute recusal might cause to Dulat or the publisher, the former CJI emphasized that the situation left him with no other choice.
The book by A.S. Dulat, known for his deep ties to Kashmir and India’s intelligence apparatus, has stirred controversy for its candid portrayal of political events and personalities, especially comments attributed to Dr Farooq Abdullah that have since been publicly repudiated. [KNT]
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