'Slip Of Tongue': Mehbooba Mufti Apologises Over 'Banta Hai' Remark On Use Of Pellet Guns In Kashmir

Published 28 July 2026 · local

'Slip Of Tongue': Mehbooba Mufti Apologises Over 'Banta Hai' Remark On Use Of Pellet Guns In Kashmir Published By, Last Updated: July 28, 2026, 12:34

'Slip Of Tongue': Mehbooba Mufti Apologises Over 'Banta Hai' Remark On Use Of Pellet Guns In Kashmir Published By, Last Updated: July 28, 2026, 12:34 IST Mehbooba Mufti said she had unintentionally omitted a crucial word - 'bahana' - while speaking to the media on the use of pellet guns. Rapid Read J&K CM Mehbooba Mufti PDP chief and former Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti on Monday apologised for her controversial remarks on the use of pellet guns in Kashmir, saying an “incomplete sentence" and a “slip of tongue" during a recent media interaction had caused hurt and misunderstanding. Addressing a press conference on the eve of the 27th foundation day of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), Mehbooba sought to clarify comments she had made at a programme held at Jantar Mantar in Delhi, where she had been invited by Kashmiri students. The controversy erupted after a video clip circulated on social media in which she appeared to suggest that pellet guns had been used because of a particular provocation.

“We have seen this for the first time in Delhi. We have witnessed it in Kashmir for many years. Magar wahan militancy hai, uska ek banta hai (But militancy exists there, so it is understandable)," Mufti was heard saying. The remarks drew criticism from political opponents, including Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, who said such comments were inappropriate and should not have been made. Explaining her position, Mehbooba said she had unintentionally omitted a crucial word while speaking to the media. “I have spent 30 years of my political career reaching out to people who were targets of Ikhwan and other forces," she said. “At a time when Farooq Abdullah had left and people were defending AFSPA and other laws, I stood with the people." Referring to the Jantar Mantar event, she added: “I had said something there on the invitation of Kashmiri students, and there was a slip of tongue.

I left out the word ‘bahana’ while speaking about the use of pellet guns in Kashmir during one byte." Mufti insisted that the video itself was genuine but argued that her statement had been interpreted without the missing word, which changed the meaning of the sentence. “Today I say the video is right, but I have been misquoted because one word was left out," she said. She then issued a public apology, saying: “If people have been hurt by the mistake, by an incomplete sentence, I apologise to the people who have been left distraught." During the same press conference, Mehbooba reiterated the PDP’s broader political agenda, including restoration of Article 370 and statehood, dialogue between Jammu, Kashmir and Ladakh, reopening of routes across divided Kashmir, permission for Kashmiri Pandits to visit Sharda Peeth, release of political detainees and undertrials, rehabilitation of displaced Kashmiri Pandits, and relocation of the Army from peaceful areas where militancy has been eliminated.