Mehbooba Mufti Apologises For Slip Of Tongue On Kashmir Violence

Former Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti has formally expressed regret for her recent remarks regarding the use of pellet guns in the region. Mufti described the "Kashmir ka banta hai" comment as a "slip of the tongue" and offered an apology to anyone hurt by her words. The statement had triggered a sharp political backlash. Both the National Conference and the Bharatiya Janata Party criticized her stance. The BJP even sought a ban on the People's Democratic Party (PDP) following the controversy.

Senior politician Bilal Gani Lone defended Mufti on July 28, 2026, terming the controversy an "unnecessary distraction." Lone characterized her statement as an innocent human error. He alleged that the row was being used to divert public attention from critical issues like governance and accountability. Lone noted that leaders in Kashmir often attack one another during sensitive phases. He urged political rivals to stop dwelling on past mistakes. Lone also highlighted that the focus should remain on pressing issues like the detention of local youth.

The apology aims to de-escalate tensions as Kashmir navigates a critical political phase. Mufti's clarification has been welcomed by allies who believe the matter should now be laid to rest. However, the incident has highlighted the deep-seated friction between the PDP and other major political players in J&K. Opposing parties may continue to use the remark to question the PDP's historical handling of law and order. The development signals a shift in Mufti's approach toward damage control ahead of future regional political engagements.