The comment came during the inauguration of Civil Society Summit being held in the City on Sunday. He replied to a concern voiced by the host of the event who said he should support the cause of sexual minorities and discrimination should not take place on the basis of gender, caste, community etc. He also said how civil societies could act as interface between government and people and see that benefits of government schemes reach all.

Talking about the problem in North-Eastern states, he said, "Freedom is not a simplistic thing. We need to ensure justice, liberty and dignity for everyone. And that can be done only on a full stomach.''

In fact, Irom Sharmila Chanu, who has been on a hunger strike since November 2000 demanding the repeal of the Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act, 1958, sent a representative to attend the summit. The three-day event will look at the present state of civil societies in India.