A host of opposition leaders, including former Congress chief Rahul Gandhi, Kerala chief minister Pinarayi Vijayan, Rashtriya Janata Dal’s (RJD) Tejashwi Yadav and Omar Abdullah of the Jammu Kashmir National Conference gathered in Chennai on Monday on the occasion of a launch of autobiography of Tamil Nadu chief minister and Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) supremo MK Stalin.
The event was held at the Chennai Trade Centre and the book, titled ‘Ungalil Oruvan’ (One amongst you) was launched by Rahul Gandhi. The Congress MP leader then presented the book to Vijayan, Yadav and Abdullah all of whom were present on stage
The book is said to be about the first 23 years of Stalin’s life till he was arrested in 1976.
In her welcome address, senior DMK leader and MP Kanimozhi said the event was not just about a book launch, but a trailer of those standing up against sectarian politics and fascism.
“The judiciary, election commission, media systematically have been under attack. But the BJP need not be under any illusion. They are fighting history, tradition. They will be defeated,” said Rahul Gandhi.
“It’s important that like-minded people like those on the dais come together. The fight is not against one party, but against an entire machinery,” said former Jammu and Kashmir CM Omar Abdullah.
“If tomorrow they decide to divide Tamil Nadu into three parts and bring Governor’s rule. What will you do?” asked leader from the Kashmir Valley while speaking about Union government’s abuse of power in his state.
Pinarayi Vijayan said that his Tamil Nadu counterpart has been at the forefront of protests whenever there was any threat to states’ rights.
RJD leader Yadav spoke about a nationwide caste-based census and lack of diversity in India’s judiciary.
