S M Fasiullah / HYM News
Islam in India is moderate and benign, said former Research and Analysis Wing (RAW) chief A. S. Dulat during a talk show hosted by Hyd Park at Taj Krishna in Hyderabad on December 1, 2015.
Mr. Dulat took variety of questions in the show “A S Dulat: In Conversation with Sriram Karri”. When Karri asked him: “By and large Muslims are not recruited in RAW. Is there any written policy?” He replied: “I didn’t know of any such policy. It [recruitment] should happen.”
On the same occasion, HYM Editor asked Dulat: “How to control radicalization of youth on religious lines, especially on internet?” Dulat said: “We have made a great thing Internet. But it’s not in anybody’s control. We need to look into ‘appeal’ that radical outfits has.”
He spoke at length on Kashmir, taking questions from audience on his book “Kashmir: The Vajpayee Years”, terrorism, and intelligence. About Kashmiri mindset, he candidly said they are sensitive people and don’t believe anyone.
“You have to have empathy to understand Kashmir. If you think Kashmir is atoot ang [integral part] then treat it as atoot ang,” Dulat remarked.
Commenting on the Modi government’s stand and efforts on Kashmir issue, he said: “Modi had great opportunity. He wasted 18 months. It’s bit sad.” He recalled how popular Vajpayee was among Kashmiris.
Speaking about his fondness of Farooq Abdullah, Mr. Dulat confessed: “I have weakness for Farooq Abdullah (Kashmir). He should have been in Rashtrapati Bhavan.”
Karri even asked Dulat about salary of a terrorist [in Kashmir context]. Mr. Dulat said: “Very little money goes into it.” He wondered, “Which agency doesn’t use money?”
About anti-terror efforts of Indian intelligence agencies, Mr. Dulat said: “We have been exceptionally well in dealing with terrorist.”