Srinagar, 28 Jul: The Jammu and Kashmir National Conference Women’s Wing President and MLA Habba Kadal, Advocate Shameema Firdous Tuesday launched a scathing attack on PDP President Mehbooba Mufti, saying her latest press conference was a calculated exercise in political damage control rather than an honest expression of remorse.
Firdous said Mehbooba Mufti once again chose to justify her deeply insensitive remarks instead of offering the unconditional apology that the people of Jammu and Kashmir, particularly its youth, deserved. “Her press conference was an exercise in evasion, not repentance. Instead of admitting her mistake, she attempted to rationalise the indefensible and shed crocodile tears to escape accountability,” she said.
She noted that before changing her stand, PDP had attempted to dismiss the controversial video through one of its MLA’s by branding it as AI-generated and accusing the National Conference of fabricating it to mislead the public. “When that false narrative collapsed under the weight of facts and public outrage, Mehbooba Mufti resorted to political spin instead of accepting responsibility. The people saw through this deception,” Firdous said.
She asserted that Mehbooba Mufti owes the people far more than an apology for her latest remarks. “She must apologise for handing Jammu and Kashmir over to the BJP, legitimising its political agenda and paving the way for the systematic erosion of the region’s constitutional and political rights. History cannot be rewritten through emotional theatrics or selective outrage,” she said.
Recalling what she described as a pattern of irresponsible politics, Firdous said the people have not forgotten Mehbooba Mufti’s controversial “milk and toffee” remarks or the insensitive handling of the braid-chopping incidents that had left women across Kashmir living in fear and anxiety. “These episodes reflect a consistent pattern of political opportunism and disregard for public sentiment. The people deserve accountability, not excuses,” she added.
Meanwhile, Women’s Wing Provincial President Er. Sabiya Qadri chaired a meeting of Women’s Wing office bearers and called upon party leaders and workers to further strengthen the organisation at the grassroots level. She urged them to remain closely connected with the people, intensify public outreach, and ensure that the party’s message and programmes reach every household.
Highlighting the people-centric governance of the Omar Abdullah-led government, Qadri said the elected government is working with commitment, transparency and sincerity to address the aspirations and welfare of people across Jammu and Kashmir.
Reaffirming the National Conference’s commitment to women’s empowerment, she said the party has consistently worked to expand women’s participation in politics and decision-making and will continue striving for their social, political and economic advancement.
Senior party leader Vijay Lakshmi Dutta and other Women’s Wing office bearers were also present on the occasion.