Srinagar: In a political bombshell, former RAW chief A.S. Dulat has alleged that National Conference (NC) president and former J&K Chief Minister Dr. Farooq Abdullah privately supported the abrogation of Article 370 in 2019. The claim, made in Dulat's new book “The Chief Minister and The Spy – An Unlikely Friendship”, has sparked a political storm and could potentially impact the Abdullah family's long-standing legacy in Kashmir.

Dulat stated that he was informally asked by the Modi-led central government to reach out to Abdullah, who was under house arrest at the time. According to him, Abdullah’s release came with two unspoken conditions: refraining from criticizing the abrogation and avoiding any reference to Pakistan. “Farooq was wise enough to grasp the message,” Dulat alleged.

He further claimed that Abdullah had shown willingness to cooperate with the Centre and allegedly remarked that the NC could have passed the proposal in the Jammu and Kashmir Assembly—had they been consulted.

The Abdullah family, which has dominated Kashmiri politics since Sheikh Abdullah’s era, has publicly opposed the 2019 constitutional move. The new allegations stand in stark contrast to the party’s stated stance and its later efforts to restore the special status through the Gupkar Alliance.

Sajad Gani Lone, president of the Peoples Conference, said he was not surprised, calling Dulat Abdullah’s “alter ego.” He alleged that the NC’s public opposition masked private cooperation with Delhi. “The 2019 meeting between Farooq and the PM was no mystery,” he wrote on X, suggesting the party’s electoral success in 2024 was a reward for earlier cooperation.

PDP leader Iltija Mufti accused Abdullah of helping to “normalise the gutting of J&K’s constitution,” alleging he chose to stay politically relevant in Kashmir rather than resist in Parliament.

National Conference spokesperson Tanvir Sadiq categorically denied the claims, dismissing the book as a “figment of imagination.” He highlighted contradictions in Dulat’s account, noting that Farooq formed the People’s Alliance for Gupkar Declaration (PAGD) after his release to challenge the abrogation.

Sadiq also recalled that Dulat’s earlier book had made controversial claims about other leaders. “This is just another attempt to stay relevant,” he said.

While the National Conference has yet to release an official statement, Dulat’s claims have added a new layer of controversy to Kashmir’s political discourse, raising fresh questions about the behind-the-scenes developments surrounding the revocation of Article 370.

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Bengaluru: The Azim Premji Foundation has announced the Azim Premji Scholarship for the academic year 2025–26, aimed at supporting up to 2.5 lakh girls across 18 Indian states who are pursuing higher education after completing school. An official release from the foundation also stated that in the coming years the scholarship will be implemented across the country.

When to Apply:

According to a release from the foundation, the application process for the Azim Premji Scholarship 2025–26 will commence in September 2025. “Details of the program and any changes in the program design or coverage will be notified at the start of the application process,” the release added.

Where to Apply:

According to the release, the scholarship this year will be implemented across 18 states, namely Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Bihar, Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand, Karnataka, Madhya Pradesh, Manipur, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Nagaland, Odisha, Rajasthan, Sikkim, Telangana, Tripura, Uttar Pradesh, and Uttarakhand. Students residing in these states and enrolled in recognised higher education institutions will be eligible to apply.

How to Apply:

  • Girls who have completed their Class 10 and 12 education in government (public) schools and have secured admission in a bona fide higher education institution either a government-run college/university or select private institutions can apply for the scholarship.

  • Once the application portal opens in September, students will be required to submit personal details, educational qualifications, proof of admission, and bank account information.

  • The scholarship amount ₹30,000 per year will be transferred directly into the students' bank accounts in two instalments each academic year, read the release.