Indian students and members of INSIGHT UK, a British Hindu social movement, organized a protest outside the Oxford Union on Friday in response to a controversial debate titled “This House Believes in the Independent State of Kashmir.” The protest centered around allegations that the speakers invited to the event, Muzzammil Ayyub Thakur and Zafar Khan, had links to terrorist organizations.
The protestors, including Indian student Adarsh Mishra, condemned the event for providing a platform to individuals allegedly associated with extremist groups. Mishra specifically criticized the Jammu and Kashmir Liberation Front (JKLF), calling it a terrorist organization responsible for the killings of Kashmiri Pandits and Hindu officials. He also accused the Oxford Union’s president of bias and alleged ties to Pakistan’s Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI), going so far as to launch a no-confidence motion against the president.
Our debate for tonight:
This House Believes in an Independent State of Kashmir.Speakers for proposition:
1. Raza Nazar
2.Professor Zafar Khan
3.Dr.Muzzammil Ayub ThakurSpeakers for opposition:
1. Siddhant Nagrath
2. Yusuf Kundgol
3. Prem Shankar Jha pic.twitter.com/DY7zOQbPsd— Oxford Union (@OxfordUnion) November 14, 2024
#BREAKING: Indian students joined by people from Jammu & Kashmir🇮🇳 protest outside the Oxford Union in UK against the Pakistan ISI funded debate on Kashmir where terrorist associates have been invited to speak on India’s Kashmir. (I had withdrawn from the same debate last month) pic.twitter.com/jJsVnrYktY
— Aditya Raj Kaul (@AdityaRajKaul) November 14, 2024
#BREAKING: Brave Indian student Aadarsh Mishra stood up inside Oxford Union debate venue and exposed the Pakistan ISI sponsored terror event which had participation of JKLF – terror group responsible for killing Indian Diplomat Ravindra Mahtre in Birmingham and Kashmiri Hindus. pic.twitter.com/RvgMdDSUPc
— Aditya Raj Kaul (@AdityaRajKaul) November 14, 2024
Videos and pictures from the protest quickly went viral, showing demonstrators chanting slogans such as, “Oxford Union stands on terrorists’ side,” and “Jammu Kashmir was India, Jammu Kashmir is India, Jammu Kashmir will be India.” INSIGHT UK issued a statement denouncing the participation of the two speakers, claiming that Muzzammil Ayyub Thakur had been involved in hate speech and had connections to groups under investigation for terrorism.
Also Read: Terror Attack in Ganderbal: Seven Killed, TRF Claims Responsibility
The protest has sparked widespread discussion over the role of student unions in hosting controversial debates and the responsibility of academic institutions in ensuring the safety and integrity of their platforms. Protesters demanded accountability from the Oxford Union for inviting figures they believed were fostering division and violence.
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