A social movement group of British Hindus and Indians in the UK, INSIGHT, protested on Friday in front of the Oxford Union, the debating society of Oxford University, and raised slogans after the union hosted a debate titled “This House Believes in the Independent State of Kashmir.”
The protesters raised slogans and chanted, “It is known far and wide; Oxford Union stands on terrorists' side." They also accused debaters of having links to terrorism.
In the protest outside the Oxford Union, the students holding banners chanted “Bharat mata ki jai, vande matram.”
The group wrote a formal letter to the Oxford Union for hosting controversial debates. Also, it said that the two speakers, Muzzammil Ayyub Thakur and Zafar Khan, in support of the motion had been criticised for their alleged associations with groups linked to violent extremism and terrorism.
The group accused that “Muzzammil Ayyub has often engaged in hate speech. A case has been registered against him. For creating fear and alarm among the masses using social media and inclining them to commit offences likely to disturb public order.
The group highlighted that Muzammil has been charged under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act,” the letter stated.
Furthermore, it said, "Muzammil, who is the president of the “World Kashmir Freedom Movement,” along with another organisation called “Mercy Universal,” was established by his father and is being investigated by the Scotland Yard and FBI for connections with the terrorist organisations.”
Additionally, Zafar Khan, chairman of the Jammu Kashmir Liberation Front (JKLF), was associated with a group wanted for violent acts that targeted the Kashmiri Hindu Community.
The Oxford Union, being a prestigious debate platform, has never witnessed protests for hosting controversial guests; thus far, it has remained open and hosted some of the debaters who have been accused and wanted by international justice organisations.
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