KINS Correspondent
Srinagar, July 28 (KINS): Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Tuesday questioned PDP president Mehbooba Mufti’s ‘apology’ over her recent remarks, saying that the use of words like “if” does not amount to a direct apology”.
PDP president Mehbooba Mufti on Tuesday apologised for her remarks made at Jantar Mantar justifying the use of force against Kashmiris. “If the remarks have hurt the people, I apologise,” Mehbooba said addressing a press conference here on the occasion of the party’s 27th foundation day.
Mehbooba Mufti visited Jantar Mantar on July 23 to extend support to the Cockroach Janta Party-led protest against alleged examination irregularities. While opposing police action against student protesters in Delhi, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) chief appeared to defend the use of pellet guns in the valley in the past, saying that it was different in Kashmir as the security forces were fighting militancy.
Chief Minister Omar Abdullah and his National Conference had sought an apology from Mehbooba over her remarks. Abdullah on Monday called for Mehbooba’s apology and said the PDP president should have “stayed home” instead of going to Jantar Mantar.
Mehbooba clarified on Tuesday, saying she meant to say that the security forces get an excuse to use force against Kashmiris as there is militancy. “I meant to say the words ‘bahana banta hai’ (they get an excuse), but I couldn’t say ‘bahana’ as I was talking to a lot of people,” she added.
Talking to reporters in Srinagar Chief Minister Omar Abdullah as per news agency Kashmir Indepth news Service (KINS) said that if Mehbooba had used the word “maafi” (apology), it would have been a different matter, but saying “if my remarks have hurt people, I apologise” cannot be considered a complete apology.
He said those who had earlier defended her statement or tried to suppress the issue have now been exposed, as Mehbooba Mufti herself clarified her position before the public.
Referring to the controversy over remarks made by a PDP MLA, Omar said the legislator had claimed that the statement was generated through Artificial Intelligence (AI), while Mehbooba Mufti later denied the claim.
On the execution of Parliament attack convict Afzal Guru, Omar said that “no one signed the death certificate of Afzal Guru,”
Meanwhile, commenting on the NEET paper leak issue, Omar welcomed the government’s move to bring legislation against exam irregularities, saying the bill is a positive step to protect the interests of students and maintain transparency in competitive examinations. (KINS)
