Kashmiris compelled to rethink their allegiance towards New Delhi: Mehbooba Mufti

India has turned Kashmir into an Israel-like illegal occupation, says IOK's former CM

The situation in Indian Occupied Kashmir following the Indian government's decision to rescind its special status has compelled the top leadership in occupied Kashmir to rethink their loyalties to New Delhi, Mehbooba Mufti said on Monday.

Kashmir's Maharaja Hari Singh in 1947 opted to sign the "Letter of Instrument of Accession to India" despite a majority of the region's inhabitants being Muslims.

India's ruling Bharatiya Janata Party stripped Kashmiris of the special autonomy they had for seven decades through a rushed presidential order earlier in the day.

By repealing Article 370 of the constitution, people from the rest of India will now have the right to acquire property in occupied Kashmir and settle there permanently.

“We had an agreement with India but by repealing it, India has turned Kashmir into an Israel-like illegal occupation," Mufti said in an audio message shared on Twitter.

xplainer: What are Articles 370 and 35A?

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. pic.twitter.com/y9ZbpcqcUI

— Mehbooba Mufti (@MehboobaMufti) August 5, 2019

In another tweet, she said, “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."

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.

— Mehbooba Mufti (@MehboobaMufti) August 5, 2019

Mufti said the Indian parliament had snatched the rights of Kashmiris through backdoor, adding that the occupied valley had turned into a prison as people couldn't even protest against India's one-sided and unjust decisions.

The move, she added, will have “catastrophic consequences for the subcontinent”.