Srinagar, Nov 13: Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Friday called for maintaining civility in political discourse, saying political opponents should be treated as competitors rather than enemies and that differences in ideology or electoral contest should not translate into personal hostility.
Addressing the gathering after inaugurating the 22nd All India Vice-Chancellor T20 Cricket Tournament at Sher-e-Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences and Technology (SKUAST), Jammu, CM Omar Abdullah as per Kashmir Convener said political disagreements should remain confined to public and ideological debates without affecting personal relationships.
“People often ask me what I think about those who contest elections against me, criticise me on social media or speak against me in media interviews. My answer has always been that they are my political opponents, not my enemies,” he said.
The Chief Minister said he had no hesitation in maintaining cordial relations with those who disagreed with him politically, adding that differences of opinion should not prevent people from interacting with one another.
“If I get an opportunity, I would sit with them over a cup of tea and ask about their families,” he said.
Drawing a parallel between politics and sports, CM Omar Abdullah said the spirit of competition should not give way to hatred, whether in electoral contests or on the sporting field.
“Competition does not mean hatred. You are opponents on the field, not enemies,” he told the participating teams.
His remarks come against the backdrop of a politically competitive environment in Jammu and Kashmir, where differences between political parties and leaders frequently surface over governance, political representation and the region’s constitutional and administrative status. Abdullah’s remarks emphasised the need to separate political disagreements from personal relationships.
The Chief Minister also highlighted the role of university employees, saying their contribution to the functioning of educational institutions often remained overshadowed by the achievements of students and faculty members.
He said universities were generally recognised for students’ academic performances, research and participation in extracurricular activities, while the employees responsible for maintaining their day-to-day operations rarely received comparable attention.
“When we talk about universities, our attention generally goes to students and their participation in different activities. But a university is not built by students alone. It also depends on those who work behind the scenes to keep the institution functioning,” he said.
CM Omar Abdullah observed that employees often remained away from the spotlight during convocations, annual functions and sporting events despite playing an important role in running educational institutions.
He said the tournament provided an opportunity for university employees to showcase their sporting abilities and participate in activities beyond their routine professional responsibilities.
According to the Chief Minister, 24 teams are participating in the tournament, including six from Jammu and Kashmir and 18 from other states.
Expressing hope that the event would foster camaraderie among participants from different universities and regions, Abdullah said the outcome of matches should not determine the relationships built during the competition.
He urged the teams to uphold sportsmanship and ensure that the tournament became an occasion for friendship and mutual respect, irrespective of victory or defeat.
The Chief Minister reiterated that healthy competition was essential in both politics and sports, but it should never become a source of personal animosity or hatred.
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