Srinagar, Jul 28 : Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Tuesday said PDP president Mehbooba Mufti’s apology over her controversial remarks at Jantar Mantar should have come earlier, accusing her party of trying to mislead people by claiming the video of her speech was generated using artificial intelligence (AI).
Responding to reporters after Mufti expressed regret over her remarks, Abdullah said there was a clear difference between expressing regret and offering an unconditional apology.
“There is a difference between saying ‘if someone was hurt by my remarks’ and apologising unconditionally. When you use the word ‘if’, it does not amount to a clear apology,” he said.
The chief minister also questioned the conduct of PDP leaders who, he alleged, dismissed the authenticity of the video for several days.
“For five days, they tried to suppress the issue and claimed the video was AI-generated. Today, Mehbooba Mufti herself has admitted that the remarks were made by her. Her statement has exposed those who kept misleading people,” Abdullah said.
Without naming anyone, he also questioned whether a legislator who allegedly continued to defend the AI claim should remain in public office.
Abdullah said the controversy had now reached Parliament and hoped that concerns raised by students over examination-related issues would lead to improvements in the system.
“If Parliament takes steps to improve the examination process because of these students’ protests, it will be a positive outcome,” he said.
Asked about future protests, including the PDP’s proposed protest on August 5, Abdullah declined to comment directly and instead blamed the PDP for facilitating the BJP’s entry into Jammu and Kashmir’s political landscape.
“We have reached this situation because of them. Had they not brought the BJP inside, we would not be here today,” he said.
Abdullah, however, added that if the PDP now realised its mistake and wanted to correct it, “that is a good thing.”
Mufti had come under criticism over remarks made during a protest at Jantar Mantar in New Delhi, where she appeared to contrast the use of force against protesters in Kashmir with the handling of student demonstrators in the national capital. She later expressed regret, saying her comments were misinterpreted and apologised to those who were hurt by them.(KNS).
