Muzzammil Ayyub Thakur, a well-known figure for his vocal support of Kashmiri independence and his controversial views on India, has been invited to speak at the Oxford Union. The debate, which took place on November 14, was centered around the topic: “This House believes in the independent state of Kashmir.”
However, INSIGHT UK, Britain’s largest organization representing Hindus and Indians, has expressed outrage over the invitation.
Radical Ties Issues
On the day of the debate, INSIGHT UK staged a protest outside Oxford Union, seriously raising issues about extremist connections which Thakur allegedly has. Protesters chanting slogans such as “Oxford Union stands on terrorists’ side” and “Bharat Mata ki Jai, Vande Mataram” claim that inclusion in the position was an unacceptable move for someone who allegedly had some kind of connection with terrorism.
The organization expressed its resentment by drafting an open letter to the Oxford Union, stating that it is a part of a bigger agenda targeting India’s ideologies and Kashmir issue.
The grounds of objection of INSIGHT UK were based on Thakur’s controversial affiliations. The group asserts that he is connected to Pakistan’s ISI and has a history of hate speech and incitement. They further pointed out that the rhetoric of Thakur sets up with Pakistan’s agenda, especially in the context of the Kashmir dispute, which makes his inclusion in the debate deeply troubling for them.
Backgroud Of Muzzammil Ayyub Thakur
Muzzammil Ayyub Thakur is no stranger to controversy. Known to be an outspoken supporter of Kashmiri separatism, he is the son of Ayyub Thakur, a Pakistani origin political figure involved in lobbying for the Kashmir cause and was known to maintain close ties with Pakistan’s Intelligence Agency, ISI. His activities included channeling funds into Islamic terrorist groups like Hizbul Mujahideen, a designated terrorist organization.
Muzzammil appears to be open to and even proud of his father’s espousal of pro-terrorism, which he has never shied away from in interviews by claiming that his father considered the Kashmiri armed struggle a form of “Jihad.” Time and again, he supports terrorist activists, especially after the Indian security forces had eliminated them, and even posted tweets laden with praise for “martyrs” operating within the Kashmir insurgency.
Legal Matters And UAPA Charges
Thakur does not fly under the radar of law. In May 2022, he was arrested under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA), India by Jammu and Kashmir Police. He is also charged with anti-national activities that include cyber crimes and threats to Indian citizens who include Advocate Syed Zeeshan. Police say Thakur is behind a “social media campaign” put across propaganda against India for his alleged role in harassing and intimidating critics of Pakistan’s stance on Kashmir.
Accompanied with these accusations, Thakur has been found to be affiliated with various groups and outlets that have anti-India sentiments; he, for example, is associated with the Islamabad Policy Research Institute (IPRI) and TRT World, a Turkish state-owned media network. His staunch criticism of India’s governance in Kashmir, especially after the revocation of Article 370 in 2019, adds fuel to the fire building around his speeches.
The Kashmir Debate
The Kashmir issue is very sensitive. Thakur’s pro-Kashmiri separatism and his advocacy of an anti-India narrative have attracted attention from Pakistani and pro-Pakistani elements. But Indians consider Thakur’s stand as an orchestrated attempt to assault India’s sovereignty and integrity.
Oxford Union decides to allow Thakur’s speech, which reopens a blazing debate regarding the scope of academic freedom, whether an institution has a responsibility not to permit extreme views to be represented in their name, and the role of a student union in the wider public discourses on geopolitics and national sovereignty.
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