Reasi, July 17 (IANS) National Conference (NC) leader Tariq Bhat on Friday apologised over his purported controversial remarks related to Maharaja Hari Singh, saying that although he had made the statement based on a history book, he would still take his words back to respect the sentiments of the people of Jammu.
Bhat had sparked a row by claiming that the people of Jammu were not with India but were with Maharaja Hari Singh.
Speaking to IANS, Tariq Bhat said: “On July 12, I attended a huge rally organised by the National Conference in Jammu’s Maharaja Hari Singh Park, where whatever I said while answering questions asked by the media was based on a book. But some of my brothers did not like what I said. I believe that if an entire region like Jammu holds a different view while I alone hold another, then the voice of the people carries greater weight. Whatever people are saying is the reality; the book can be wrong.”
“So, respecting the sentiments and honour of the people of Jammu, I take back my words and apologise for my mistake,” he added.
He further mentioned that the remarks made by him were his individual opinion and the National Conference leadership had nothing to do with it.
“NC’s senior leader Sheikh Bashir had condemned the statement made by me, saying that the party does not agree with the remarks. So, I thought that when my party thinks that whatever I said was wrong, then certainly I have committed a mistake,” Bhat admitted.
However, the NC leader referred to the book titled ‘Modern Indian History’, written by V.D. Mahajan, saying: “Still, if anyone wants an explanation (for whatever I said) can read this book. Everything is written here about the merger (of J&K with India), the country’s partition and other details.”
“If this book is wrong, which is quite possible as authors write according to their view…I will read what the new books say on this and understand how wrong I was. But, understanding the sentiments of the people of Jammu, I beg pardon for my statement,” he stated.
Further explaining his stand, Bhat said: “I did not intend to criticise the Maharaja, but yes, I did say that ‘Jammu BJP leaders didn’t have a role in sacrificing for the country’; this was a political remark, and parties keep criticising each other.”
“Still, whoever has been hurt by my remarks, please forgive me,” he reiterated.
–IANS
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