Says those who claimed AI should also express regret, slams PDP for Aug 5 protest: ‘they brought BJP to power in J&K’
Srinagar : Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Tuesday dismissed PDP president Mehbooba Mufti’s recent statement as a mere clarification rather than a genuine apology, while taking sharp aim at PDP leaders who spent days claiming her controversial video was AI-generated.
Talking to reporters on the sidelines of a Mega Job Fair at Amar Singh College, Abdullah noted that expressing regret differs from asking for forgiveness, stating, “When someone says ‘if anyone was hurt’, it is not an apology. There is a difference between regret and forgiveness,” and adding, “For five days people were told it was AI. Today their own party president admitted she herself made those remarks. Those who misled the people should answer for it.” Criticizing a PDP MLA for insisting the clip was fake, the Chief Minister remarked, “Her own party president has exposed that claim. He kept saying for five days that it was AI-generated, but today Mehbooba Ji herself has admitted there was no AI. Those people should also express regret. Even if they don’t apologise, they should at least express regret,”.
Shifting focus to the job fair, Abdullah highlighted that over 60 local, national, and international recruiting firms participated, engaging over 5,300 candidates with nearly 470 on-the-spot offers and 430 shortlists. Celebrating the initiative to tackle local unemployment, he stated, “If the shortlisted candidates are also selected, around 900 youth will get jobs. It is a significant achievement. We hope more such Mega Job Fairs are organised as our continuous effort is to reduce unemployment in Jammu and Kashmir,”. On national policy, he welcomed the NTA Bill, noting, “If the examination system improves because of the students’ protest, it is a positive outcome. Let Parliament pass the Bill,”. Finally, addressing PDP’s planned August 5 protest regarding Article 370, Abdullah laid the blame for J&K’s current political state squarely on their past alliances, declaring, “Had they not brought the BJP to power in Jammu and Kashmir, we would not have reached this stage. If they now realise their mistake and want to rectify it, that is their decision,”.
