LONDON: The Oxford Union has faced a huge protest and online backlash over calling Kashmir ‘independent’; a letter has written to the debating society, condemning the topic of the debate and the speakers invited.
The Oxford Union faced significant backlash after announcing a debate on the topic of an “Independent State of Kashmir,” a region that has been at the heart of a long-standing territorial dispute between India and Pakistan. The debate has sparked protests from Indian students and various organizations, leading to widespread condemnation of the event.
Indian students, along with the social movement Insight UK, have raised strong objections to the debate. They argue that questioning Kashmir’s status as an integral part of India is not only politically charged but also an infringement on India’s sovereignty. Outside the Oxford Union, protestors have been chanting slogans like “Jammu Kashmir WAS India, Jammu Kashmir IS India, Jammu Kashmir WILL BE India,” expressing their stance on the matter.
Insight UK, which represents the Indian community and British Hindus, has written an open letter to the Oxford Union, criticizing the choice of topic and the speakers invited. The letter emphasizes that Jammu and Kashmir’s status as part of India is unquestionable, and any debate undermining this is seen as harmful to diplomatic relations and the integrity of the nation.
The controversy highlights the sensitivity surrounding the Kashmir issue and the global implications of such debates. While the Oxford Union has historically hosted discussions on contentious topics, the debate on Kashmir has stirred strong emotions, particularly within the Indian diaspora, leading to calls for the university to reconsider its stance.
