Omar hits out at Mehbooba: ‘If’ is not a genuine apology
Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Tuesday ‘literally’ took a masterclass to explain the difference between regret and forgiveness.
The tutorial was delivered promptly by Omar shortly after the former Chief Minister and People’s Democratic Party (PDP) president, Mehbooba Mufti, expressed regret over her recent remarks at Delhi’s Jantar Mantar, which had triggered a political controversy.
Responding to the controversy, Mehbooba Mufti said she had attended the protest at the request of Kashmiri students studying outside Jammu and Kashmir. During an interaction with journalists at Jantar Mantar, Mufti used the word “bahana” (excuse) to refer to militancy, a remark that drew criticism.
“I said that militancy becomes a bahana (an excuse). I did not use that word accidentally or in haste. I thought about it before saying it.”
However, she said the remark had subsequently been interpreted differently from what she intended.
“That single word was blown completely out of proportion.”
Speaking to media persons on the sidelines of the Mega Job Fair 2026 at Amar Singh College, Srinagar, Omar Abdullah said there is a clear difference between expressing regret and seeking forgiveness.
She (Mehbooba Mufti) had not issued an unconditional apology over her controversial remarks, asserting that expressing regret with the word “if” cannot be termed a genuine apology.
“When someone says ‘if anyone was hurt,’ it is not an apology. There is a difference between regret and forgiveness,” Omar said.
Omar also criticised PDP MLA Waheed Parra over his claim that the controversial video was AI-generated, saying the PDP chief herself had now admitted that the video was genuine.
“For five days people were told it was AI. Today their own party president admitted she herself made those remarks. Those who misled the people should answer for it,” he said.
On the PDP’s proposed August 5 protest seeking restoration of Article 370, Omar said the party itself was responsible for the present political situation.
“If they had not brought the BJP to power in Jammu and Kashmir, we would not have reached this stage. If they now realise their mistake and want to rectify it, that is their decision,” Omar Abdullah said.
Addressing a press conference in Srinagar during the day, Mehbooba also clarified she never claimed that the video was fake or AI-generated and made it clear that her statement had been misconstrued because of an incomplete expression made in haste while speaking to several journalists.
She said she has dedicated nearly three decades of her life to the people of Jammu and Kashmir and has never sought personal gain through politics, adding that whatever she has earned is the trust and affection of the people.
“If my words have hurt the sentiments of the people of Jammu and Kashmir, I sincerely apologise. The people here consider me their own, and if they have been pained because of my remarks, I express my regret,” she said.
Mehbooba accused political opponents of attempting to exploit the controversy for political gains and alleged that her remarks were deliberately projected out of context to damage her credibility.
She further said despite facing political and personal pressures over the years, including actions against members of her family after 2019, she has continued to raise issues concerning the rights and dignity of the people of Jammu and Kashmir.
Reiterating her stand, the PDP president said her political struggle has always remained focused on safeguarding the interests of Jammu and Kashmir and serving its people.
