The Modi government’s decision to scrap the controversial Articles 370 and 35A and split the state into two union territories has triggered jubilation in the Jammu and Ladakh regions while the Kashmiri politicians were fuming with anger and describing the step as an “aggression against the people of Jammu and Kashmir”.

National Conference leader Omar Abdullah and PDP chief Mehbooba Mufti, who are reportedly under house arrest since Sunday night, were on Monday in the forefront to warn that the step would have “catastrophic consequences”.

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“It will have catastrophic consequences for the subcontinent. GOIs intentions are clear. They want the territory of J&K by terrorising its people. India has failed Kashmir in keeping its promises,” Mehbooba said.

In a statement, Omar said that the “Government of India’s (GOI) unilateral and shocking decisions today are a total betrayal of trust that the people of J&K 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 the people of the state as had been warned by an all-parties meeting in Srinagar on Sunday.

“Goi has resorted to deceit and stealth in recent weeks to lay the ground for these disastrous decisions. Our darkest apprehensions have unfortunately come true after the GOI and its representatives in J&K lied to us that nothing major was planned. The announcement was made after the entire state, particularly the Kashmir valley, was turned into a garrison. Those of us who gave democratic voice to the people of J&K 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 added.

Reacting strongly to the centre’s announcement, Mehbooba stated; “Today marks the darkest day in Indian democracy. Decision of J&K leadership to reject the 2-nation theory in 1947 & align with India has backfired. Unilateral decision of GOI to scrap Article 370 is illegal & unconstitutional which will make India an occupational force in J&K,” she added.

Mehbooba further went on to slam the Government. “GOIs intention is clear & sinister. They want to change the demography of the only Muslim majority state in India, disempower Muslims to the extent where they become second class citizens in their own state,” she said.

“What did J&K get for acceding to India? Another partition along communal lines? Our special status isn’t a gift bestowed upon us. It’s 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 added.

“The way some sections of media & civil society are celebrating these developments with glee is disgusting & disconcerting,” Mehbooba added.

In a separate tweet, she said; “Once again, GOI has pushed Kashmiris to the brink. There is no other way but to oppose this illegal & unconstitutional onslaught on our dignity. Attaching an audio clip to this tweet since this is the only way to communicate”, she said.

Union territory status has been a long-standing demand of the people of Ladakh and they had organised lengthy agitations in support of this during the regime of Rajiv Gandhi.

The demand of Jammu had been to remove the Articles 370 and 35A that snatch the state’s citizenship of the women marrying outside J&K.