Srinagar, July 27, 2026 (Yes Punjab News)
Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Monday said Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) president and former Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti should have apologised for her remarks regarding the use of force at Jantar Mantar instead of attributing the controversy to an AI-generated video.
Speaking to reporters in Srinagar, Omar Abdullah accused the PDP leader of attempting to appease audiences outside Jammu and Kashmir while refusing to accept responsibility for her comments, which drew widespread criticism.
According to the Chief Minister, Mehbooba Mufti’s remarks were not aimed at highlighting the concerns of the people of Jammu and Kashmir but appeared to justify the use of force in the Kashmir Valley. He maintained that while militancy continues to pose a security challenge, it cannot be used as a justification for arbitrary action against ordinary citizens.
“If there is militancy here, that does not mean there should be random arrests or that passports should be withheld,” Abdullah said, stressing that security concerns should not undermine the rights of innocent people.
The Chief Minister also criticised Mufti for allegedly adopting different political positions in Kashmir and New Delhi, claiming it reflected a long-standing pattern in her political conduct.
Referring to the controversy over a video clip of Mufti’s speech, Abdullah said she could have defused the situation by acknowledging her remarks and offering an apology. Instead, he noted, a PDP MLA claimed the video was generated using artificial intelligence.
“Everyone saw that reel. She should have accepted that what she said was not correct,” Abdullah said.
He further alleged that Mufti had rarely expressed regret over controversial political decisions, citing the PDP’s alliance with the BJP in 2015 and other past episodes as examples.
The controversy erupted after Mehbooba Mufti’s comments on the use of force against students at Jantar Mantar triggered criticism, with detractors alleging that her remarks implied such action was unacceptable in Delhi but acceptable in Kashmir.
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