Ghulam Nabi Azad, the outgoing Leader of Opposition in Rajya Sabha, turned emotional as he bid goodbye to the Upper House on Tuesday. During his farewell speech, Ghulam Nabi Azad said that he considers himself extremely fortunate to be among those who did not go to Pakistan after partition and feels proud to be a “Hindustani Muslim”.


Delivering his farewell speech, Azad said every Muslim feels proud of the fact that they are in India. “I never went to Pakistan and I think I am fortunate. I am among those fortunate people, who never went to Pakistan. When I read about the circumstances in Pakistan, I feel proud to be a Hindustani Muslim,” he said.


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Azad turned emotional as he talked about the terrorist attacks in Jammu and Kashmir.


“I used to study in Jammu and Kashmir’s SP College, which is the biggest college there. Both August 14 (Pakistan’s Independence Day) and August 15 were celebrated there. There were a maximum of those who used to celebrate August 14. I used to celebrate August 15 along with my friends. We used to be with the principal and staff. We did not go to school ten days after that as we were scared of being battered. I am glad Jammu and Kashmir moves ahead under the leadership of several parties,” he said while recapitulating his earlier days in Jammu and Kashmir.


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The Congress veteran also used the occasion to shower praises on the Muslims residing in India.


“We are seeing the Taliban and countries like Afghanistan for the last 30 to 35 years. There are several countries across the world fighting among themselves. There are no Hindus or Christians in those places. There are only Muslims but despite that, they are fighting among themselves,” said Azad. 


“Taking note of the evils in society, I can proudly say there is nothing bad in the Muslims in India. But the community in the majority also needs to take two steps ahead,” he added.


Azad also remembered Atal Bihari Vajpayee while delivering his address and said he learned a lot, including breaking the deadlock and running the House, from the late Prime Minister