PDP president Mehbooba Mufti sparked outrage on Friday with her 'Banta Hai' (it is deserved) remark regarding the death of Dr Faisal Rasool in a road rage incident, reopening old wounds of Kashmir's pellet gun victims.
Controversial Remark During Press Conference
Speaking at a press conference in Srinagar, Mufti said the doctor's death was a result of his own actions, adding 'Banta Hai'. The comment immediately drew sharp criticism from political opponents, civil society members, and the victim's family.
Dr Faisal Rasool, a young physician, was killed after a dispute over a traffic issue escalated. Mufti's remarks, perceived as insensitive, have been widely condemned.
Pellet Gun Victims Recall Pain
The comment has revived painful memories of the 2016 protests following the killing of Hizbul Mujahideen commander Burhan Wani. During the unrest, security forces used pellet guns extensively to disperse crowds, leading to thousands of eye injuries and permanent blindness among protesters, many of them teenagers.
'Thousands of people, mostly young, were blinded or suffered severe eye injuries due to pellet guns. For her to say 'Banta Hai' about any death is a mockery of that suffering,' said Junaid Mattu, former Srinagar mayor and a political opponent.
Victim's Family Demands Apology
Dr Faisal's brother, Dr Shahnawaz, demanded an apology from Mufti. 'She has no right to say such things. My brother lost his life, and she trivializes it. We want an apology,' he told reporters.
Human rights groups have documented over 2,000 cases of pellet injuries during the 2016 unrest, with many victims losing eyesight permanently. The use of pellet guns has been a contentious issue, with calls for a ban.
Political Reactions
Several political leaders condemned Mufti's remarks. The National Conference's Omar Abdullah said, 'Such insensitivity from a former chief minister is unacceptable. The people of Kashmir have endured enough pain.'
The BJP, however, defended Mufti, saying her words were taken out of context. 'She was expressing frustration over increasing crime,' a party spokesperson said.
The incident has once again brought focus on the unresolved trauma of pellet gun victims, many of whom continue to suffer without adequate compensation or rehabilitation.
