The controversy surrounding the Oxford Union’s invitation to Muzzammil Ayyub Thakur, a Pakistani-origin radical Islamic activist known for spreading misinformation about Jammu and Kashmir, has ignited strong reactions. Based on the reports from OpIndia, the debate, which took place on Thursday, November 14, centered on the need for independence of the region. Thakur, who has long been associated with anti-Bharat rhetoric and has links to terror-linked groups, was invited to speak alongside other contentious figures. This move by the Oxford Union has resulted in a wave of protests from Bharatiya students and diaspora groups, who have condemned the platform given to individuals with alleged ties to terrorist organizations.
Muzzammil is notorious for promoting the Pakistani viewpoint on Jammu and Kashmir, with strong backing from Pakistan’s military establishment. He argued in favor of the motion, “This House Believes in the Independent State of Kashmir.”
In a post on Instagram, the Oxford Union stated, “The ongoing demand for Kashmiri independence is part of a long-standing struggle, driven by the region’s aspirations for self-determination and autonomy. This has resulted in continued unrest, human rights concerns, and a renewed call for greater autonomy from the Kashmiri people.”
The Oxford Union also stated, “While nuclear-armed neighbors compete for control and geopolitical influence, the desire for peace among the local population remains strong. Could an independent Kashmir provide a resolution to this long-standing crisis?”
Islamist Muzzammil Ayyub Thakur, the son of London-based ISI agent Ayyub Thakur, was at the center of this debate. Ayyub Thakur founded both The Justice Foundation and the World Kashmir Freedom Movement, which Muzzammil now operates.
Muzzammil Ayyub Thakur’s ties to terrorism
Ayyub Thakur was known for his active lobbying for Jammu and Kashmir and for channeling funds from Pakistan’s ISI to support Islamic terrorism in the region, including a £70,000 donation to Hizbul Mujahideen terrorist Syed Salahuddin. In a 2015 interview with the ‘Only Kashmir’ YouTube channel, Muzzammil openly acknowledged his father’s pro-terrorism views on Kashmir, revealing that Ayyub Thakur funded terrorism in the region, which he considered a form of ‘Jihad.’
Muzzammil has also shown support for terrorists, praising them after they were neutralized by Bharatiya forces. In a tweet from November 2021, he referred to smiling Kashmiri shaheeds (martyrs) as a lesson for others. Notably, Muzzammil was seen with Nitasha Kaul, an anti-Bharatiya activist who was invited by the Karnataka Congress government in February 2024 but was deported upon arrival in Bengaluru.
In May 2022, Muzzammil Ayyub Thakur was booked by Jammu and Kashmir police under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act for engaging in anti-national activities and threatening Bharatiya lawyer Syed Zeeshan. A police spokesperson stated, “Thakur, through social media and other platforms, is involved in actions that are detrimental to Bharat’s sovereignty, integrity, and unity.” The spokesperson further mentioned that Advocate Zeeshan had filed a formal complaint with the Srinagar police, accusing Thakur of harassment, threats, and criminal intimidation, allegedly orchestrated by the ISI and ISPR. Thakur is also alleged to have been involved in cybercrimes against the complainant.
Additionally, Thakur had previously targeted Tasleema, a Kashmiri woman who spoke out against Pakistan’s propaganda at the United Nations. His social media account on X (formerly Twitter) has since been withheld in Bharat.
Thakur has consistently pushed Pakistan’s narrative on Jammu and Kashmir, collaborating with the Islamabad Policy Research Institute (IPRI) to amplify this message. Following Bharat’s revocation of Article 370 in August 2019, which changed Jammu and Kashmir’s status, Thakur denounced Bharat’s actions, claiming that the move was an effort to exploit Kashmir economically, while also criticizing Bharat’s development initiatives in the region. He further accused Bharat of turning Kashmir into a commercial entity for Bharatiya businesses, thereby harming the region’s ecology.
In 2020, Thakur appeared on TRT World, a Turkish state-owned media outlet, where he spread misinformation about the situation in Jammu and Kashmir. He had also attempted to stir international outrage during the 52nd Session of the United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC) and endorsed an anti-Bharat publication called Kashmir Inside.
Journalist Aditya Raj Kaul withdrew from Oxford union debate, denounced participation with terror-linked figures
As per the reports from the Organiser, journalist Aditya Raj Kaul, the senior executive editor of TV9 Network, withdrew his acceptance to participate in the Oxford Union Debate on Kashmir. Kaul, initially open to expressing his views as a Kashmiri, reconsidered after learning that the debate would feature individuals with ties to terrorist activities in Jammu and Kashmir. In his strongly worded response, Kaul referred to Muzzammil Ayyub Thakur and Zafar Khan as ‘Bharat baiters’ and questioned the fairness of engaging in a debate with individuals working at the behest of Pakistan’s deep state. He asked, “How can I debate with a terrorist?” highlighting the ethical dilemma of participating in a discussion with those linked to terrorism.
Bharatiya students at Oxford condemn union’s invitation to terror-linked figures for Kashmir independence debate
Based on the reports from OpIndia, in response to the Oxford Union’s invitation to controversial figures Muzzammil Ayyub Thakur and Zafar Khan for a debate on Kashmir’s independence, Bharatiya students at Oxford University have voiced strong disapproval. The students have written a letter condemning the invitation of individuals linked to terrorist organizations, calling the decision distressing and threatening to the Bharatiya student community.
The letter highlights that the Oxford Union had initially announced a debate for November 14, 2024, with several high-profile speakers, including Thakur and Khan, who have connections to groups involved in violent activities. On November 11, 2024, the Union confirmed the participation of Zafar Khan, Chairman of the Jammu Kashmir Liberation Front (JKLF), and Muzzammil Ayyub Thakur, known for his controversial affiliations.
The students pointed out the dark history of JKLF, recalling the 1984 abduction and murder of Bharatiya diplomat Ravindra Mhatre in Birmingham by terrorists linked to the group. They also referenced JKLF’s role in the mass exodus of Kashmiri Hindus in 1990, emphasizing the organization’s violent history.
In addition, the letter brings attention to Muzzammil Ayyub Thakur’s involvement in anti-Bharat rhetoric and his connections with Islamic terror groups. Thakur has been implicated in creating fear and inciting violence through social media and has been involved in promoting organizations with suspected terrorist links, including the World Kashmir Freedom Movement, founded by his father. Both organizations have come under scrutiny by authorities, including Scotland Yard, the FBI, and the Charity Commission, due to their ties with terrorist activities.
The letter concludes by expressing concern over the Oxford Union’s decision to host these individuals, given their histories of promoting violence and hate speech, and urges the institution to reconsider its stance.
This is not the first instance of the Oxford Union organizing a debate on Kashmir’s potential independence. In September of the previous year, the Union hosted a similar debate advocating for an independent Kashmir. At that time, ‘The Kashmir Files’ director Vivek Agnihotri was invited to participate but chose to decline, labeling the theme as anti-Bharat and anti-Kashmir.
By providing a platform to individuals linked to terror outfits, the Oxford Union is not only undermining Bharat’s sovereignty and territorial integrity but also normalizing the presence of Islamic extremists in mainstream discussions. This reflects the growing influence of Islamist lobbying groups in the UK, who are actively pushing the Pakistani narrative on Kashmir, despite the region’s ongoing efforts toward peace and development. These groups are gaining traction in elite intellectual spaces, posing a significant concern due to their ability to justify terrorism.
Rather than perpetuating debates on the Kashmir issue, which is increasingly irrelevant, the Oxford Union should focus on more pressing matters, such as the rising threat of jihadi grooming gangs in the UK, which are wreaking havoc on the lives of British women. Instead of challenging Bharat’s sovereignty under the guise of academic discussion, the Union should engage in debates that address the growing influence of Islamists within the UK, which poses a real threat to the nation’s secular values and social fabric.
Recently, in 2024, Nitasha Kaul, a prominent figure in anti-Bharat rhetoric, was barred from entering Bharat and deported to London. She claimed that the Congress-ruled Karnataka government invited her to speak on “democratic and constitutional values.” However, her involvement with figures like Muzzammil Ayyub Thakur, who is linked to Pakistan’s ISI and terror funding, highlights a more concerning agenda.
The reality is that these individuals are not merely advocating for democracy or constitutional values but are actively promoting narratives that support terrorism and undermine Bharat’s unity. Their association with groups that have been involved in terror financing and inciting violence raises alarms. In the case of Kaul, her deportation serves as a reminder of the necessity to protect Bharat’s integrity from external and internal threats.
The increasing presence of such figures in public debates, whether on foreign platforms like Oxford Union or through local political invitations, only emboldens terrorist-linked ideologies. This should serve as a call to action to safeguard Bharat from any form of anti-national agenda. Allowing such voices to spread their dangerous propaganda endangers national security and the well-being of the Hindu population, and it is essential for the country to stay vigilant in preserving its sovereignty and protecting its people from these extremist ideologies.
