Indian students protest outside Oxford Union over debate on Kashmir

London: Members of INSIGHT UK, a social movement representing Hindus and Indians, on Friday staged a protest outside the Oxford Union, condemning the society’s recent debate titled “This House Believes in the Independent State of Kashmir.” Protesters, including Indian students holding banners, voiced strong opposition, chanting slogans such as “It is known far and wide, Oxford Union stands on terrorists’ side,” in response to the event’s controversial choice of speakers.

They also chanted Hindi slogans like “Bharat Mata ki Jai” and “Vande Mataram.” INSIGHT UK later shared images of the protest on social media, declaring, “Jammu Kashmir WAS India, Jammu Kashmir IS India, Jammu Kashmir WILL BE India.”

On Thursday, INSIGHT UK issued a formal letter to the Oxford Union Society, questioning its decision to host the debate titled “This House Believes in the Independent State of Kashmir”. The letter raised concerns about two invited speakers, Muzzammil Ayyub Thakur and Zafar Khan, citing alleged connections to violent extremism and terrorism. The group also argued that including these individuals sabotaged the integrity of the debate.