London: Indian students in the UK led a protest on Friday in front of the Oxford Union, the debating society of Oxford University, over a debate on Kashmir's independence.The debate, hosted by Oxford University’s prestigious debating society, featured the political status of Kashmir. The debate titled- "This House Believes in the Independent State of Kashmir"- featured Dr Muzzamil Ayyub Thakur and Professor Zafar Khan, Chairman of the Jammu Kashmir Liberation Front's Diplomatic Bureau, who were in the motion of the debate."Muzammil is the president of the "World Kashmir Freedom Movement," which, along with another organisation called "Mercy Universal," was founded by his father and investigated by Scotland Yard, the Charity Commission and the FBI for ties with terrorists," the letter further read. Meanwhile, Zafar Khan, the Chairman of the Jammu Kashmir Liberation Front (JKLF), was associated with a group known for violent activities that targeted the Kashmiri Hindu community.The JKLF had also been involved in acts such as the kidnapping and killing of Indian diplomat Ravindra Mhatre in the UK back in 1984, they said in the letter.Opposing the motion were Prem Shankar Jha, a former media advisor to ex-Prime Minister VP Singh with extensive experience at the United Nations and the World Bank, along with Yusuf Kundgol and Siddhant Nagrath.The Oxford Union defended the debate on its Instagram page, stating, "The Kashmir question, a parting gift of British colonial rule, has troubled the subcontinent since 1947, resulting in multiple wars. The continued push for Kashmiri independence has sustained a long-standing struggle, rooted in the region’s quest for self-determination and autonomy. This has led to persistent unrest, human rights concerns, and renewed demand for autonomy among the Kashmiris. While nuclear-armed neighbours vie for control and geopolitical influence, the desire for peace among the population remains strong. Could an independent Kashmir be the answer to this enduring crisis?"

However, the debate sparked strong objections, including from INSIGHT UK, a British Hindu group, which condemned the Union's decision to host the event. In a statement shared on X (formerly Twitter), the group said, "We have sent a formal letter to Oxford Union expressing deep concerns over their decision to host the debate. The invitation of speakers with alleged links to terrorism is particularly alarming and raises serious questions about the integrity of this debate."