NC Demands Public Apology from Mehbooba Mufti Over Protest Remarks, Deepening Political Rift in Jammu & Kashmir
By: News Desk | 26 July 2026
National Conference accuses the PDP chief of contradicting her own human rights narrative after comments on security forces and protests trigger a fresh political controversy
A fresh political confrontation has erupted between the National Conference (NC) and the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) after senior NC leaders demanded a public apology from PDP president Mehbooba Mufti over her recent remarks on the use of force during protests in Jammu and Kashmir.
The controversy has added another chapter to the intensifying rivalry between the Valley’s two principal regional parties, both of which continue to project themselves as the foremost defenders of the political and democratic rights of the people of Jammu and Kashmir.
The dispute also comes at a time when opposition politics in the Union Territory remains sharply focused on issues such as statehood, Article 370, civil liberties and human rights, making every public statement politically significant.
What Triggered the Controversy?
The row stems from a video in which Mehbooba Mufti discussed the use of force during periods of unrest in Kashmir.
According to the National Conference, her remarks appeared to justify security action against protesters by linking it to the prevailing militancy situation in the Valley.
NC leaders argued that such comments were inconsistent with the PDP’s long-standing criticism of security measures and raised questions about the party’s political position on human rights and accountability.
The National Conference subsequently demanded that Mehbooba Mufti issue a public apology, contending that the remarks had caused disappointment among many people in Kashmir.
National Conference’s Response
The National Conference strongly criticised the remarks, saying that the suffering of civilians during periods of conflict should not be minimised or rationalised.
Senior party leaders argued that political representatives have a responsibility to consistently defend democratic rights and civil liberties regardless of the prevailing security situation.
According to the NC, statements that appear to justify the use of force against protesters risk undermining public confidence in political leadership and weaken efforts to advocate for accountability.
The party has therefore called upon Mehbooba Mufti to clarify her position and apologise for the comments.
Mehbooba Mufti’s Political Position
Mehbooba Mufti has, over recent years, consistently criticised the Union Government on issues relating to civil liberties, political detentions, restrictions on democratic activity and human rights in Jammu and Kashmir.
The controversy has therefore led political opponents to accuse her of inconsistency, arguing that her latest remarks differ from the positions she has repeatedly articulated since 2019.
Supporters of the PDP, however, may contend that her comments were made in the broader context of Kashmir’s complex security environment and should not be interpreted as an endorsement of excessive use of force. The precise interpretation of her remarks has itself become part of the political dispute.
The Larger NC–PDP Rivalry
The latest exchange reflects a deeper political contest between the National Conference and the People’s Democratic Party.
Although both parties continue to oppose the constitutional changes introduced in Jammu and Kashmir in 2019 and advocate the restoration of democratic rights, they increasingly differ on political messaging, strategy and leadership.
Recent months have witnessed disagreements over several major issues, including:
- The priority that should be given to statehood versus Article 370.
- Opposition unity and participation in political protests.
- Human rights and police accountability.
- The broader strategy for engaging with the Union Government.
These recurring disagreements have made it increasingly difficult for regional parties to present a unified opposition platform.
Human Rights Debate Returns to Centre Stage
The controversy has once again placed human rights at the centre of political debate in Jammu and Kashmir.
For the National Conference, the issue is one of consistency, arguing that political leaders should apply the same standards regardless of who is exercising power.
The PDP, meanwhile, continues to position itself as one of the strongest critics of restrictions on political freedoms and civil liberties in the Union Territory.
The exchange illustrates how human rights have become not only a governance issue but also a powerful instrument of political competition among regional parties.
Political Implications
Pressure on the PDP
The demand for an apology places Mehbooba Mufti under renewed political scrutiny, particularly regarding the consistency of the PDP’s human rights narrative.
National Conference Seeks Moral High Ground
By challenging Mehbooba’s remarks, the National Conference is attempting to reinforce its own image as a consistent advocate of democratic rights and civilian protections.
Fragmented Opposition
The dispute further exposes divisions among regional parties at a time when many are simultaneously campaigning for the restoration of statehood and broader constitutional rights.
Public Response
The controversy has generated mixed political reactions.
Some observers believe public representatives should avoid statements that could be interpreted as legitimising the use of force against civilians.
Others argue that discussions about policing in conflict-affected regions require recognition of the complex security challenges faced by law enforcement agencies.
As with many political controversies in Jammu and Kashmir, public opinion remains deeply divided along ideological and party lines.
Challenges Ahead
Maintaining Political Credibility
Both the National Conference and the PDP will seek to convince the public that their positions on civil liberties and accountability are consistent and principled.
Avoiding Political Point-Scoring
There is a risk that substantive debates on policing, human rights and democratic freedoms become overshadowed by partisan exchanges and demands for apologies.
Opposition Unity
Continued public disagreements between regional parties may complicate efforts to build a coordinated political campaign on larger issues such as statehood and constitutional rights.
The Road Ahead
The latest dispute between the National Conference and Mehbooba Mufti’s People’s Democratic Party demonstrates that competition for political credibility in Jammu and Kashmir increasingly extends beyond constitutional issues to questions of human rights, governance and public accountability.
For the National Conference, demanding an apology is part of a broader effort to portray itself as a consistent defender of the rights of Kashmiris. For the PDP, the challenge will be to clarify the context of Mehbooba Mufti’s remarks while maintaining its long-standing criticism of restrictions on civil liberties.
As Jammu and Kashmir’s political landscape continues to evolve, such exchanges are likely to remain a defining feature of regional politics, reflecting not only ideological differences but also the intense competition among opposition parties to shape the narrative ahead of future political developments.
Editorial Note: The National Conference’s demand for an apology and its characterisation of Mehbooba Mufti’s remarks are political assertions. The interpretation of her comments remains contested, and readers should distinguish between partisan criticism and independently established facts.
