Kashmir Impulse Desk

Srinagar, July 27

Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Monday said Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) President Mehbooba Mufti should have acknowledged and apologised for remarks she made at a protest in New Delhi instead of blaming artificial intelligence (AI) and later the ruling National Conference (NC).

“The biggest mistake is not making one, but refusing to admit it. Everyone makes mistakes in life. We are not angels that we can’t make mistakes,” Abdullah told reporters in Sangam-Bijbehara.

“If there is a mistake, apologise and end the chapter,” he said.

Mufti triggered a political controversy after speaking at a protest near Jantar Mantar last week, where she criticised police action against demonstrators but said similar action in Kashmir was understandable because of the presence of militancy.

The remarks drew criticism from Abdullah and other political parties, while PDP MLA Waheed-ur-Rehman Para described a video of the speech circulating online as AI-manipulated.

Abdullah rejected the claim and said multiple media organisations had been present at the protest.

“If Mehbooba believes we are maligning her or misrepresenting her statement, let her file a case against us in a police station,” he said.

The chief minister said Mufti was now shifting blame rather than accepting responsibility.

 “We did not send Mehbooba ji to Delhi; she went there on her own,” Abdullah said, adding that the NC had invited her to join its protest at Jantar Mantar but she had not attended.

He said the controversy could have been resolved had Mufti acknowledged that she had spoken emotionally and expressed regret.

Abdullah also said Para should have apologised on Mufti’s behalf if she chose not to do so.

On the Jammu and Kashmir government’s proposed Transaction of Business Rules, Abdullah said the draft had been revised after incorporating changes suggested by the central government and would be sent back after the administration received no response from the Lieutenant Governor’s office.

“We had sent the business proposal of J&K to the Government of India. They wanted certain changes, which we made,” he said.

Abdullah also dismissed remarks by BJP leader and Leader of Opposition in the Jammu and Kashmir Assembly Sunil Sharma that the Union Territory government could not restore statehood.

He said the decision rested with the central government and would ultimately be taken by the prime minister and the Union home minister.

On reports that the government was considering granting Vande Mataram the status of the national anthem, Abdullah said the matter should be decided by Parliament.

“We have two members in the Lok Sabha and three in Rajya Sabha. When the bill comes, we will decide what stand to take,” he said.