Viral video genuine, statement taken out of context: Mehbooba Mufti

Srinagar, Jul 28: Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) president Mehbooba Mufti on Tuesday clarified the controversy surrounding her remarks during the Jantar Mantar protest, expressing regret and saying the statement had been taken out of context because of a “slip of the tongue”, while maintaining that the viral video of her statement was genuine.
Mufti said she had intended to say “Bahana Banta Hain” while referring to militancy, but due to the rush of media interactions, she could only utter “Banta Hain”.
“I gave bytes to a lot of people there. In one byte I said there is militancy and intended to say ‘Bahana Banta Hain’, but I could not utter the word ‘Bahana’ due to hurriedness. I thought I had said that,” she said, addressing a press conference on the party’s 27th Foundation Day here.
Rejecting claims that the clip had been manipulated, the former Chief Minister, said the circulating video was authentic. “I wouldn’t say that the video is fake; it is genuine,” she said.
Mufti said she has consistently raised issues concerning the rights, dignity and democratic aspirations of the people of Jammu and Kashmir throughout her political career and that the remark did not reflect her intended message.
She reaffirmed her party’s commitment to the restoration of Article 370 and Article 35A, announced peaceful protests across Jammu and Kashmir on August 5.
Mehbooba said the PDP had adopted a comprehensive political resolution reaffirming the vision of its founder, late Mufti Mohammad Sayeed, centred on “peace with dignity”, democratic engagement, reconciliation and political dialogue.
She said the party had planned district-level Foundation Day celebrations across Jammu and Kashmir, but scaled them down in view of the recent heavy rains and the loss of lives and property, particularly in Rajouri and Poonch.
Congratulating party workers, Mehbooba said the PDP had survived repeated political attacks during its 27-year journey and that its workers had remained committed to the party’s ideology despite hardships and political pressure.
Reading out the party’s political resolution, Mufti said the PDP would continue its constitutional struggle for the restoration of Articles 370 and 35A and all constitutional guarantees that protected the identity, special status and rights of the people of Jammu and Kashmir. “The only way to establish lasting peace is through dialogue, reconciliation and confidence-building measures. That remains the vision of Mufti Mohammad Sayeed and the commitment of the PDP,” she said.
Announcing the party’s future political programme, Mehbooba said the PDP would hold peaceful protests across Jammu and Kashmir on August 5 to press for the restoration of the erstwhile constitutional position of the region and oppose what she termed the erosion of democratic and federal principles.
Referring to the developments after August 5, 2019, she said the PDP leadership and workers had been subjected to intimidation, detentions and political targeting because of their stand on Jammu and Kashmir.
Despite the pressure, she said, the party would continue to speak for the people and would not compromise on its principles.
Describing Jammu and Kashmir as a natural gateway between South and Central Asia, Mehbooba urged the Centre to reopen the Srinagar-Muzaffarabad and Poonch-Rawalakote Cross-LoC routes for trade and travel, saying the links would strengthen commerce, tourism and people-to-people contact.
She also sought the reopening of access to Sharda Peeth for Kashmiri Pandits and reiterated that dialogue and reconciliation remained the only viable path to resolving the Jammu and Kashmir issue.
The PDP president demanded the release of political detainees, undertrials and those booked under preventive detention laws, urging the Government of India to review their cases and ensure justice.
She also called for the gradual withdrawal of security forces from civilian areas where terrorism had substantially declined, saying if the Centre maintained that normalcy had returned, the reduced security footprint should also be visible on the ground.
Mehbooba also demanded a greater share of Jammu and Kashmir’s natural resources, seeking either adequate compensation or the transfer of at least two major hydroelectric power projects to the Union Territory. She also reiterated the demand for separate divisional administrative units for the Pir Panjal and Chenab Valley regions to ensure balanced development and better governance.
The PDP chief also sought transparent recruitment to fill more than one lakh government vacancies, greater political representation for women and continued efforts for the dignified rehabilitation and return of Kashmiri Pandits. (KNO)