LONDON (MNTV): The Oxford Union, renowned for its tradition of engaging in contentious global discussions, has released the footage of its November 2024 debate titled "This House Believes in the Independent State of Kashmir".
The debate featured prominent advocates for Kashmiri independence, including Dr Muzzammil Ayyub Thakur, a Kashmiri independence activist and leader of the Justice Foundation and the Kashmir Freedom Movement; Professor Zafar Khan, chairman of the Jammu Kashmir Liberation Front (JKLF) diplomatic bureau; and Prem Shankar Jha, a former media adviser to Indian Prime Minister V P Singh.
Hardline voices like filmmaker Vivek Agnihotri and journalist Aditya Raj Kaul declined invitations to present India's case, citing the motion as "offensive" and "anti-India."
During the debate, Dr Thakur passionately articulated his stance, stating, "The people of Kashmir have been denied their fundamental right to self-determination for decades."
Prem Shankar Jha, representing India, emphasized that the complete princely state of Jammu and Kashmir, which acceded to India, should be considered in any discussion about its future, not just the Indian-administered part.
"Independence might seem like a solution but could lead to a more severe form of servitude," Jha argued.
He distinguished between personal freedoms — control over one's life and choices — and independence, which pertains to territorial control.
Drawing historical parallels from Moses to the slaves in America, Jha asserted that true freedom is a birthright that transcends geographical boundaries.
The speaker critically evaluated the outcomes of independence in nations born from decolonization and globalization. He cited conflicts in countries like the former Belgian Congo and Rwanda as examples where independence led to tyranny rather than freedom.
Jha emphasized that a vigorous democracy remains the only true guarantee of freedom within a nation. He raised critical questions about the democratic credentials of United Nations member states.
Tracing the evolution of the UN, he noted that the organization began with 51 charter members, which grew to 193 by 2011. While most post-colonial nations initially embraced democracy, few have sustained it. As of 2010, only five of the 61 countries that joined the UN between 1958 and 1975 retained democratic governance.
Democracy is Answer
Highlighting democracy's diminishing focus, Jha pointed to a study by Ideas International, which revealed that democracy ranked 27th among issues discussed at the UN between 2015 and 2023. He argued that independence is not synonymous with freedom, often becoming a precursor to tyranny and violence.
Jha criticized the conflation of freedom with territorial sovereignty, attributing it to the era of nation-states. He argued that nation-states, shaped by the expansion of markets, have prioritized economic protectionism and rigid borders, often at the cost of cultural and linguistic diversity. He called for a reevaluation of this model in the age of globalization, where such barriers are increasingly irrelevant.
Jha cited polls conducted by MORI (2004) and Chatham House (2009-10) to highlight the nuanced aspirations of Kashmiris. Both surveys revealed that the majority of respondents rejected merging with Pakistan. Instead, they prioritized preserving Kashmir’s unique cultural identity, ending violence, and promoting economic development.
The polls also underscored the significance of "Kashmiriyat," a Sufi-influenced cultural identity distinct from the Islamic practices in Pakistan. While "azadi" (freedom) emerged as a recurring demand, Jha clarified that this often reflects a desire for self-determination and governance, rather than complete secession.
Dr Thakur who is the founder of the Justice Foundation: Kashmir Institute of International Affairs and a prominent figure in the World Kashmir Freedom Movement further highlighted human rights concerns, noting, "The ongoing militarization and reported human rights violations in the region underscore the urgent need for an independent Kashmir."
He delivered his arguments with a mixture of legal citations, historical context, and poignant rhetoric.
"Indians would have you believe that their freedom struggle against the British was justified and ours is illegal," Dr Thakur stated, challenging the audience to recognize the hypocrisy in denying Kashmir the freedom that India itself fought for.
He continued, "They were a colonized people, and now they've become the colonizer."
Throughout his speech, Dr Thakur highlighted the severe human rights abuses reported in the region, the controversial legality of the Instrument of Accession signed in 1947, and the international community's faltering stance on Kashmir.
He cited various UN resolutions that support the right to self-determination, accusing India of violating these international mandates by suppressing Kashmiri voices.
Global Inconsistency
Dr Thakur criticized the global inconsistency in handling cases of self-determination, "Where does it say anywhere in the United Nations that Security Council resolutions are defunct after seven decades or are time-bound in any way? India has taught us the route to permanent colonization — given enough time, occupation can be legitimized, delayed by decades, and then use the excuse that Security Council resolutions, international law, Geneva conventions anything and everything no longer apply."
His emotionally charged appeal included a stark depiction of the current conditions in Kashmir, "Hundreds of thousands dead, tens of thousands raped, billions in destruction — this isn't just about politics; it's about humanity."
Thakur passionately defended the Kashmiri resistance as not only a moral right but a legal one, anchored in the principles set forth by the United Nations.
The comments section of the Union's broadcast mirrored the debate's intensity, with diverse viewpoints reflecting the global diaspora's concerns about the future of Kashmir.
A group of Indian students gathered outside the Oxford Union, chanting slogans expressing their disapproval of the platform provided to speakers arguing for right to self-determination to Kashmir.
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