The reaction to Monday's developments can fall broadly into three categories – cheers, jeers and some fear. "That is the sentiment Kashmir usually evokes, and when there is a decision as momentous as this, it is hard to remain indifferent," said Dr Sanjay Dhar, president, Kashmiri Pandits Association of Mumbai, and orthopaedic surgeon. Dhar was born and brought up in Srinagar till his family had to flee to Jammu because of militancy in 1990. Like everybody, Dhar hopes for more attention to Jammu and Ladakh now. "The voices of the people need to be amplified," he said. "With Srinagar simmering most of the time, it meant little attention has been paid to Jammu or Ladakh, whose people need and want development." With fears of large-scale violence and, in fact, an immediate spike in tension putting the region on edge, celebrations have erupted in some sections but for the Pandits, it is a moment of sober reflection, painful memories and a still uncertain future.

Threats of the past

"Today, my home in Srinagar seems to be cutting through the political firestorm and calling out to me," said Dhar. "We lived there till 1989. My home was large and we had a lot of land around it. Our years were idyllic till we started feeling the drumbeats of the call for separation. My father, who was a popular figure and electronics professor in Srinagar, got threats. In the streets, we heard chants of 'azaadi, azaadi' and I remember shouts of 'Pandits leave Kashmir. Leave your women behind' ringing out. I recall how difficult it was to openly support India during India-Pakistan cricket matches. The days turned dark towards the end of 1989. I was in a Jammu hostel. One day, my parents and sister were confined to a room in our Srinagar home, curtains drawn, so that nobody knew they were there. We decided it was too dangerous to live there any longer. My family came to my hostel room. Finally, we got a small home in Jammu and a few years later, moved to Mumbai, where I got a job at Sion Hospital."