Mehbooba Admits Viral Video Is Genuine, Expresses Regret Over Remark

Srinagar, July 28: Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) president Mehbooba Mufti on Tuesday expressed regret over her controversial remarks made during a protest at Jantar Mantar, saying she had misspoken and intended to say “Bahana Banta Hai” (it becomes an excuse), but inadvertently said only “Banta Hai” (it is justified).

Speaking to reporters in Srinagar, Mufti said she had given several media bites at the protest and, while referring to militancy in one of them, she accidentally omitted the word “Bahana” due to the rush.

“I gave bytes to many journalists there. In one of them, while talking about militancy, I intended to say ‘Bahana Banta Hai,’ but because of the hurriedness, I could not utter the word ‘Bahana.’ I believed I had said it,” she said.

Mufti also dismissed claims that the widely circulated video had been doctored, asserting that the clip was authentic.

“I will not say the video is fake. It is genuine,” she said.