I come here not as a victim but as a warning: Omar Abdullah during Stalin’s book launch
India Today
Former Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, attending DMK chief Stalin's book launch said he had come not as a victim, but as a warning of what can happen to any state.
A day ahead of Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin’s 69th birthday, his autobiography named ‘Ungalil Oruvan’ (One Among You) was released in the presence of Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, former Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, and Bihar Opposition leader Tesjaswi Yadav.
“I’m here not as a victim but also as a warning of what can happen”, said National Conference leader Omar Abdullah speaking on the occasion. The former Jammu and Kashmir CM also said that only in times of adversity does one know who friends are.
“When me and my father faced adversity, a lot of people whom we have great relationships with were either silent or complicit. Yet Stalin raised his voice and that is why I’m here”, said Omar Abdullah who also stated that though he is from a small state and he belongs to an extremely small political party, if ever a time comes when Stalin needs his support, he would stand shoulder to shoulder with Stalin.
Though the leaders had gathered in the stage for the book release, the programmme did set the mood for a per-alliance meet among 'like minded' leaders.
Tejaswi Yadav while speaking at the event, stated that he was happy to see Tamil Nadu at the forefront of social and economic justice providing opportunities to people from various communities.
Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan stated Malayalis and Tamilians are children of the same soil and that Stalin had tried to ensure the interests of both states. Pinarayi Vijayan recalled how he and Stalin had undergone torture during the Emergency.
Meanwhile, Omar Abdullah also alleged that in India, the freedom to choose, be it attire, a religion or a language is now being dictated. “Somehow, I’ve been told that freedom to choose offends that idea of India. But in my mind, that freedom, that choice is the idea of India. It is that idea of India we must protect, claimed Omar Abdullah.
