Srinagar: Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) president and former Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti on Tuesday apologised for her controversial remarks made during a protest at Jantar Mantar in New Delhi, saying she never intended to justify violence against Kashmiris and expressing regret if her comments had hurt public sentiments.
Addressing a press conference on the occasion of the PDP’s 27th foundation day at the party headquarters in Srinagar, Mehbooba said her statement had been misunderstood and clarified that she intended to convey that security forces often get an “excuse” to use force in Kashmir because of the prevailing militancy.
“If my incomplete statement caused pain or hurt to my people who consider me one of their own and hold high expectations of me, I sincerely apologise for it,” she said.
The controversy stems from Mehbooba’s visit to Jantar Mantar on July 23, where she joined a protest led by the Cockroach Janta Party against alleged examination irregularities. During her address, while condemning police action against protesting students in Delhi, her remarks appeared to defend the use of pellet guns and force in Kashmir, triggering sharp criticism from political opponents and sections of the public.
Clarifying her position on Tuesday, Mehbooba admitted that the video circulating on social media was authentic and not manipulated or generated using artificial intelligence. However, she said her words had been interpreted differently from what she intended to say.
“I wanted to say ‘bahanabantahai’—that the security forces get an excuse because militancy exists in Kashmir. But while speaking to many people, the words slipped out,” she explained.
She added that if her remarks had hurt the people of Jammu and Kashmir, she had no hesitation in apologising.
Rejecting allegations that she had justified repression in the Valley, Mehbooba accused her political opponents of deliberately distorting her statement to tarnish her image.
“Whenever we raise our voice, not only people in Delhi but political parties in Jammu and Kashmir also feel threatened. Attempts are made to damage my credibility because I have not built wealth or mansions—I have built a relationship of trust with the people,” she said.
The PDP president also took aim at the ruling National Conference (NC), accusing it of exaggerating the controversy.
“The NC is presenting it as though I signed the death warrants of Afzal Guru and Maqbool Bhat, or as if I had said ‘Kashmiriyon ko golimaro’. That is simply not true,” she remarked.
