New Delhi: New Delhi: Union Home Minister Amit Shah discussed the issue of abrogation of Article 370 with top government and Army officials in Srinagar while having dhokla and aloo paratha, revealed a yet-to-be-released book by a retired Army officer.
The book titled 'Kitne Ghazi Aaye Kitne Ghazi Gaye', authored by Lt General (retired) K J S Dhillon further stated that the Home Minister's visit to Srinagar on June 26, 2019, was to finalize the Centre's plan and preparation for the abrogation of Article 370 in Jammu and Kashmir.
Narrating the chain of events on that day Dhillon stated in his book that the Home Minister's June 26 visit to Seinagar was already considered to be a precursor to a major announcement. "I got a call at 2 am in morning, informing me of a meeting with the home minister at 7 am", added Dhillon.
Even as Dhillon, who at that time was the head of the army's strategic Srinagar-based XV Corps did not elaborate much about what took place in the meeting, he made it clear that several sensitive issuers were on the agenda while aloo paratha and dhokla were on the menu.
Dhillon wrote that "a lot of sensitive issues and key points were on the table for discussion apart from delectable food that include 'aloo paratha and famous Gujarati dish 'dhokla' during our tete-e-tete".
He further revealed that one of the key issues in the agenda was how Pakistan would react to the "path-breaking declaration" which was now imminent. Dhillon said in his book that the Home Minister had a good grasp of the issue and it was clear that he had done extensive homework.
"I must point out, and with absolute objectivity and great professional input, that the home minister was in absolute control and fully conversant with the agenda and... he had obviously done extensive research and homework," stated Dhillon.
The retired Lt General said that during the meeting he was asked for his personal view on the issue to which replied " 'agar itihaas likhna hai, toh kisi ko itihas banana padega' (we can write history only if we make history)." This was the last meeting in Srinagar ahead of the Government's decision to abrogate Article 370, which granted special status to the erstwhile state of Jammu and Kashmir and bifurcation into the Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh.
