Indian students gathered outside the Oxford Union in the United Kingdom on Thursday, protesting against a debate titled “This House Believes in an Independent State of Kashmir.” The protest was sparked by the Union’s invitation to speakers allegedly linked to terrorist organizations, specifically the Jammu Kashmir Liberation Front (JKLF).
Protests and Allegations of Terrorism
A video of Indian student Adarsh Mishra speaking out against the debate has gone viral on social media. In the video, Mishra criticizes the inclusion of JKLF members in the discussion, calling the organization responsible for the deaths of Kashmiri Pandits. He pointed out the group’s role in past violent acts, including killings of Hindus and government officials in Birmingham, UK. Mishra also publicly challenged the credibility of the Oxford Union president, accusing him of having ties to the Pakistani intelligence agency, ISI.
“It [JKLF] has massacred many Kashmiri Pandits, and it has killed Hindu government officials in Birmingham,” Mishra stated during the protest. “I do not trust this house. I have launched a no-confidence motion against the president because I believe many members of this house have no faith in him.”
Viral Video and Public Outcry
Mishra’s passionate speech has been widely shared online, with many praising his bravery for exposing the JKLF as a terrorist organization. Social media users have lauded the Indian students’ protest, with some calling it a “great show of courage.” Others have joined the call for a no-confidence motion against the Oxford Union president.
WATCH THE VIRAL VIDEO:
Fearless Indian Oxford Union member, Aadarsh Mishra, intervenes at the Oxford Union debate hosting and supporting Pakistan backed terrorists.
Saying it as it is: JKLF is a TERRORIST organisation.#JKLF #kashmir #JammuAndKashmir @OxfordUnion pic.twitter.com/af1K5U4azO
— INSIGHT UK (@INSIGHTUK2) November 14, 2024
The Debate and Controversial Speakers
The Oxford Union’s debate featured two distinct sides. The panel supporting the motion for an independent Kashmir included Muzzamil Ayyub Thakur, a Kashmiri activist, and Professor Zafar Khan, chairman of the JKLF Diplomatic Bureau. Both are vocal critics of Indian control over Kashmir and advocate for its independence.
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On the opposing side, Prem Shankar Jha, a former media advisor to a former Indian prime minister, and Siddhant Nagrath, an expert on the region, argued against the motion, presenting the case for the continuation of Indian sovereignty over Kashmir.
The Oxford Union described the debate topic as one of geopolitical complexity, highlighting Kashmir’s troubled history since British colonial rule ended in 1947. It mentioned that the ongoing unrest and calls for Kashmiri self-determination remain central to the region’s issues.
Concerns Raised by British Hindu Organization
The controversy surrounding the debate did not go unnoticed in the UK. INSIGHT UK, a British Hindu organization, expressed its concern about the Oxford Union’s decision to host the debate. They submitted a formal letter to the Union, questioning the invitation of speakers with alleged terrorist links and warning about the potential damage to the integrity of the discussion.
In a statement on X (formerly Twitter), INSIGHT UK emphasized the troubling nature of the invitation: “We have submitted a formal letter to the Oxford Union, expressing serious reservations regarding their decision to host this debate. The invitation of speakers allegedly linked to terrorism is especially troubling and casts doubts on the integrity of the discussion.”
The Future of the Debate
As the debate continues to spark debate both within and outside the Oxford Union, questions are being raised about the Union’s role in fostering free speech and academic discourse. The protest by Indian students and the viral video by Adarsh Mishra have brought the issue to the forefront, with calls for more transparency and accountability regarding who is invited to speak at such prominent forums.
