While the exact reason for her public apology couldn’t be ascertained, it was speculated that her meeting with J&K Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti – who has been criticized for unleashing lethal force on Kashmiri protesters after the killing of Hizbul Mujahideen commander Burhan Wani – few days ago, might have triggered an outrage on social media. 

Wasim’s apology triggered a war of words between different political outfits in J&K with Congress accusing Mufti of politicizing the issue. However, former J&K CM and National Conference leader Omar Abdullah came in support of Wasim. 

The controversy also reflected in the valley newspapers on Tuesday. Here’s How

From leading English dailies to major Urdu newspapers published from the valley, the reports centered around the text of Zaira’s Facebook post.  

Leading English daily Greater Kashmir carried the report on the controversy on its third page, while as another prominent English newspaper Rising Kashmir spaced the news report on Page five. 

Along with the main report, Rising Kashmir also carried another report of the controversy regarding the discussion of the issue in J&K Legislative Assembly. 

Renowned daily Kashmir Reader gave the front-page space to the news item saying the Dangal girl apologized for being “projected as a role model” for Kashmiri youth. The KR report also quoted various posts by netizens in Wasim’s favour. 

Urdu daily Kashmir Uzma dedicated a corner of its third page to the issue. Basing its report on Wasim’s Facebook post, the report said the 16-year-old girl had probably faced criticism on social media for meeting J&K CM Mehbooba Mufti. 

Another Urdu daily Chattan gave the front-page space to the issue surrounding Zaira Wasim’s public apology. In its report, the Urdu daily reported that Wasim apologized for meeting Mufti.