Oxford Union Faces Protest from Indian students in UK over Debate on ‘Independent State of Kashmir’

Indian students recently gathered outside the Oxford Union in the UK to protest a debate titled, “This house believes in the independent state of Kashmir.” The protest focused on the political status of Kashmir, a matter that remains a contentious issue between India and Pakistan.

The debate itself, hosted by Oxford University’s prestigious debating society, questioned the region’s autonomy. While some students joined the protest to defend India’s position, others were concerned with the underlying agenda being pushed by those involved. Experts quickly pointed out that these protesters were likely aligned with the Hindutva ideology, a radical, exclusionary agenda promoted by India’s current ruling party.

India, under Narendra Modi’, has taken a more aggressive and chauvinistic stance on Kashmir. The country’s political climate is increasingly dominated by nationalist fervor, evident in actions like the revocation of Article 370, which granted Jammu and Kashmir special status. This was just one example of how the government has systematically abandoned India’s secular roots.

Over the years, Modi’s government has been accused of pursuing policies that marginalize religious minorities, particularly Muslims. The move to revoke Article 370 was a pivotal moment, signaling a departure from the country’s secular ideals. Now, under the banner of Hindutva, India has steadily drifted away from its pluralistic foundation, placing minorities in increasingly vulnerable positions.

The situation in Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK) remains dire, with both India and Pakistan having fought multiple wars over the region. The ongoing conflict has led to immense human suffering, with Kashmiris bearing the brunt of military crackdowns and political repression. Despite this, the Indian government has shown little interest in addressing the real issues facing the region, focusing instead on maintaining a political narrative that suits its ambitions of transforming India into a pure Hindu state.

This nationalist agenda has earned India a notorious reputation on the global stage, with the country now among those with the worst human rights records. The Modi government’s treatment of IIOJK, along with its disregard for secular values, only adds to its troubling legacy.

What India needs now is a new social agreement—one that restores secularism, protects minorities, and addresses the political realities of IIOJK. The protests at Oxford were not just about one debate but a larger resistance to the forces of Hindutva. The protesters, while demanding a more just approach to Kashmir, also symbolized the growing opposition to the Modi government’s authoritarian policies.

The protests at Oxford highlight a global concern: India is shifting away from its secular ideals, and the Kashmir issue continues to be manipulated for political gain. It is time for a more inclusive and peaceful resolution to this conflict, one that recognizes the rights of all citizens, regardless of their religion or ethnicity.