Altaf Bukhari says public apology should end controversy; backs parties pursuing restoration of special status

Noor Ul Hasan Andrabi 

Srinagar, Jul 29: Apni Party Patron Syed Mohammad Altaf Bukhari on Wednesday said a controversy should be considered closed once a person publicly apologises for a mistake, asserting that apologies made in good faith deserve acceptance.

Addressing a press conference at the party headquarters in Srinagar, Bukhari said PDP president Mehbooba Mufti had publicly apologised for her remarks and there was no reason to prolong the issue.

When someone acknowledges a mistake and apologises publicly, the chapter should end there. Mehbooba Mufti has apologised, and on humanitarian grounds, her apology should be accepted so that we can move forward,” he said.

Commenting on the PDP’s proposed protest on August 5 over the abrogation of Article 370, Bukhari said every political party has the democratic right to determine its own course of action.

“August 5 is not a day of celebration for the people of Jammu and Kashmir. Any political party is free to observe it through protests. However, protests alone are not enough. There must also be a clear roadmap explaining how the lost constitutional and political rights can be restored,” he said.

Reacting to BJP leader and Leader of Opposition Sunil Sharma’s remarks seeking a ban on the PDP, Bukhari alleged that the BJP has consistently pursued politics based on religious polarisation.

“Such statements are not new. They reflect the BJP’s long-standing political narrative and strategy,” he said.

Bukhari further said that regional political parties in Kashmir represent the aspirations of the people, while claiming that the BJP has projected a different political narrative in the Jammu region. He also alleged that many people in Jammu continue to face hardships despite the party being in power.

On the National Conference’s protest at Jantar Mantar, Bukhari said every political party has the right to adopt its own democratic strategy.

“Every party has its own ideology and method of functioning. We believe dialogue and consultation, rather than confrontation, offer the best way forward. The government should engage with the people, particularly the youth of Jammu and Kashmir. The National Conference has chosen its own democratic mode of protest, and that is entirely its decision,” he said.

Bukhari said the Apni Party would extend its moral and ethical support to any political party that sincerely works for the restoration of statehood, Article 370, Article 35A, and the release of detained youth.

Whoever genuinely pursues these issues will always have our moral and ethical support. We may not participate in every programme, but we will stand by such causes,” he said.

Responding to a question on the distinction between maafi (forgiveness) and ma’azrat (apology), Bukhari said no individual is infallible.

“Omar Abdullah is not God. We are all human beings and capable of making mistakes. It is possible that Mehbooba Mufti has apologised sincerely from the bottom of her heart. Forgiveness is ultimately sought from God, and if her repentance is genuine, may God accept it,” he said.