Mehbooba Mufti: Scrapping Article 370 is illegal, govt disempowering Muslims

[File] Mehbooba Mufti | PTI

Former Jammu and Kashmir chief minister Mehbooba Mufti hit out against the Central government's move to scrap Article 370 which gave special status to Jammu and Kashmir. "Today marks the darkest day in Indian democracy. Decision of J&K leadership to reject 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," Mufti, who is under house arrest, said in a strongly-worded statement on Monday. 

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Mufti further accused the Centre of alienating and diempowering Muslims in the country. "The way some sections of media & civil society are celebrating these developments with glee is disgusting & disconcerting. GOIs intention is clear & sinister. They want 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." She added, "It will have catastrophic consequences for the subcontinent. GOIs intentions are clear. They want the territory of J&K by terrorising it’s people. India has failed Kashmir in keeping its promises."

The people of Jammu and Kashmir have been deceived, she charged at the former alliance partner. "People like us who placed faith in Parliament, the temple of democracy have been deceived. Those elements in J&K who rejected the (Indian) constitution & sought resolution under the UN have been vindicated. This will exacerbate the alienation Kashmiris feel... Already under house arrest & not allowed to have visitors either. Not sure how long I’ll be able to communicate. Is this the India we acceded to?"

"It will have catastrophic consequences for the subcontinent. GOIs intentions are clear. They want the territory of J&K by terrorising it’s people. India has failed Kashmir in keeping its promises," Mufti added. 

Following days of unusual tightening of security situation in Jammu and Kashmir, Home Minister Amit Shah on Monday informed Parliament that the Narendra Modi government has moved a resolution to scrap Article 370. 

Shah has informed the Rajya Sabha that the state of Jammu and Kashmir will be bifurcatedinto Union Terroritories—J&K Union Terroritory with assemby, and Ladakh Union Terroritory without an assembly. 

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