Noted historian Ramachandra Guha on Monday criticised the "arbitrary" manner in which the BJP-ruled central government scrapped the special status provided to Jammu and Kashmir under Article 370, and warned that opting to remain silent at this juncture could backfire in the days to come. "This is not an issue about Kashmir alone. This is not an issue about alienation alone. I would like every Indian to reflect on the arbitrary misuse of state power. An entire population of 12 million is shut out from a decision that's supposed to be in their interests. What happened in Kashmir today could happen in your state tomorrow unless you are vigilant enough to protect the constitution," he told NDTV in an interview.