‘Lambi hai gham ki shaam...’: How Omar Abdullah, Mehbooba Mufti reacted to Article 370 verdict

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Narendra Modi government's decision to abrogate Article 370, which granted special status to Jammu and Kashmir. The apex court was hearing a batch of petitions challenging the India government's decision. While several political leaders, especially belonging to the Bhartiya Janata Party (BJP) hailed Supreme Court's decision, several political leaders from Kashmir expressed disappointment.

Democratic Progressive Azad Party (DPAP) chairperson Ghulam Nabi Azad on Monday termed the Supreme Court's verdict upholding the abrogation of Article 370 "sad and unfortunate" but said everyone has to accept it "with a heavy heart". Nobody will be happy with this judgement in Jammu and Kashmir, Ghulam Nabi Azad said. "It is unfortunate but everyone has to accept the decision of the Supreme Court with a heavy heart.

We did not expect this decision. We were thinking that the Supreme Court will consider the sentiments of the people of Jammu and Kashmir and also the historical background under which the Article 370 was incorporated to the constitution. That was our hope but unfortunately that has not happened," Ghulam Nabi Azad told reporters at his residence.

Former Chief Minister of Jammu and Kashmir, and National Conference (NC) vice president Omar Abdullah said he is disappointed but not disheartened by the Supreme Court verdict. Omar Abdullah remarked it took the BJP decades to abrogate the provisions of Article 370. "We are also prepared for the long haul," he said in a post on X.

"Disappointed but not disheartened. The struggle will continue," Omar Abdullah, who put out multiple posts, said. Omar Abdullah quoted poet Faiz Ahmad Faiz's couplet to signify that hope should not be lost.