Kashmir Impulse Desk

Srinagar, July 28

People’s Democratic Party (PDP) President Mehbooba Mufti apologised on Tuesday for remarks she made at a protest in New Delhi last week that triggered a political controversy, saying she had never intended to justify the use of force against Kashmiris.

“If my remarks have hurt the sentiments of the people, I sincerely apologise,” Mufti told reporters in Srinagar.

Her comments came during a news conference marking the 27th foundation day of the PDP, days after she joined a protest at Jantar Mantar over alleged examination irregularities.

Mufti said her remarks had been interpreted differently from what she intended to convey.

She said she had meant to argue that security forces often cite militancy as an “excuse” for using force in Kashmir, but that her words had “slipped out” while she was speaking to several people at once.

Mufti also acknowledged that a video of her remarks circulating on social media was genuine and had not been manipulated or generated using artificial intelligence. She nevertheless maintained that the comments had been taken out of context.

“If my incomplete statement caused pain to my people, who have always considered me one of their own and placed their trust in me, I apologise wholeheartedly,” she said.

The controversy followed criticism from political opponents and civil society groups who interpreted her remarks as defending the use of pellet guns and other force by security agencies.

Mufti said she had attended the Delhi protest at the invitation of students from Jammu and Kashmir studying outside the region, who she said wanted her to raise their concerns.

She accused the ruling National Conference (NC) of politicising the controversy and said her critics were portraying her comments as support for violence against Kashmiris.

The apology came a day after Chief Minister Omar Abdullah criticised her remarks, saying they appeared to legitimise the use of force against people in Kashmir on the grounds of militancy.

Abdullah said public representatives, particularly former chief ministers, needed to exercise caution in their public statements because such comments could discourage people from peacefully exercising their democratic rights.

The NC had demanded an unconditional apology, arguing that statements by a former chief minister carried significant political and moral weight.

Mufti’s apology was her first public expression of regret over the remarks, although she continued to say that her words had been misunderstood and did not reflect support for the use of force against civilians.