NL Correspondent
Srinagar, Aug 05
Former J&K chief ministers Mehbooba Mufti and Omar Abdullah on Monday came down heavily on the Centre's move to scrap Article 370.
Mehbooba Mufti called the move “illegal” and “unconstitutional”, and one that would make India an “occupational force in J&K”.
National Conference leader Omar Abdullah as saying the government's actions were “a total betrayal of trust” and a “unilateral decision” by the government.
“Government of India (GOI)'s unilateral and shocking decisions today are a total betrayal of the trust that the people of Jammu & Kashmir had reposed in India when the state acceded to it in 1947. The decisions will have far-reaching and dangerous consequences. This is an aggression against people of the State as had been warned by an all-parties meeting in Srinagar yesterday,” said Abdullah.
Abdullah also said that it was going to be a “long and tough battle” going ahead, but “we are ready for that”.
He said that the announcement was made after the entire state, particularly the Valley, was turned into a garrison.
He said that the announcement was made after the entire state, particularly the Valley, was turned into a garrison.
“Those of us who gave democratic voice to the people of Jammu & Kashmir, are incarcerated as lakhs of armed security personnel have been put on the ground.
“The scrapping of Articles 370 and 35A raise fundamental questions on the state's accession because that was done on the very terms enunciated in these articles. The decisions are unilateral, illegal and unconstitutional and will be challenged as such by the National Conference. A long and tough battle lies ahead. We are ready for that,” he said.
In a series of tweets, Mufti said the scrapping of Article 370 would have “catastrophic consequences” for the subcontinent.
“They want the territory of J&K by terrorising its people. India has failed Kashmir in keeping its promises,” she said.
The PDP president said today's events marked “the darkest day in Indian democracy.
“Decision of J&K leadership to reject 2 nation theories in 1947 & align with India has backfired,” Mufti said in a tweet.
Mufti said that Jammu and Kashmir's special status was not a “gift” but a “right” guaranteed by the Indian parliament.
“What did J&K get for acceding to India? Another partition along communal lines? Our special status isn't a gift bestowed upon us. Its a right guaranteed by the same parliament. A contract entered into by J&K leadership & India. Today the very same contract has been violated,” she Tweeted.
Mufti also accused the Modi government of wanting to “change demography of the only muslim majority state in India , disempower Muslims to the extent where they become second class citizens in their own state.”
Mufti and Abdullah were among the several Kashmiri leaders who had been placed under house arrest on Sunday night.
