The prestigious Oxford Union is facing criticism after announcing plans to host a debate titled, "This House Believes in the Independent State of Kashmir," scheduled for November 14. 

The decision has sparked controversy, with concerns raised over the inclusion of speakers with alleged links to terrorism and the potential impact on India's sovereignty.

The debate, which centres around the contentious issue of Kashmir's status, has drawn strong reactions from the Indian and Hindu communities in the UK. INSIGHT UK, an advocacy group representing British Hindu and Indian communities, has formally condemned the event, calling it a "deeply troubling" decision that risks undermining the region's geopolitical significance.

“We have sent a formal letter to Oxford Union expressing deep concerns over their decision to host a debate titled, ‘This House Believes in the Independent State of Kashmir,’ on 14th November,” INSIGHT UK said in a tweet. “The invitation of speakers with alleged links to terrorism is particularly alarming and raises serious questions about the integrity of this debate,” it alleged. 

The group also outlined the broader implications of the debate, emphasizing that Kashmir has been a region of longstanding conflict, with violence and terrorism severely affecting the local population. 

Key concerns highlighted by INSIGHT UK in its letter include the alleged ties of the invited speakers to organizations linked to extremism. 

"Muzzammil Ayyub Thakur, one of the proposed speakers, has been accused of inciting hate speech and having connections to groups under investigation for terrorism. Zafar Khan, representing the Jammu Kashmir Liberation Front (JKLF), a separatist group notorious for its violent activities, has also drawn criticism for his involvement in past incidents of violence, including the abduction and killing of an Indian diplomat in the UK," it claimed.

“The Kashmir region has been a target of terrorism for decades, causing the forced exodus of thousands of Kashmiri Hindus and creating untold suffering,” INSIGHT UK noted. “Kashmir is recognized internationally as an integral part of India, and any debate questioning this is a challenge to India’s sovereignty.”