Oxford Union: Sitaram Yechury and Jay Panda debated Article 370

CPI(M) leader Sitaram Yechury and BJP MP Baijayant Panda debated the Crisis In Kashmir: Should Special Status Have Been Revoked? at a programme organised in Oxford on Wednesday. The Oxford Union is the latest platform to debate on Kashmir and the abrogation of Article 370.  While BJP MP Baijayant Panda supported the decision and spoke in favour, CPI(M) leader Sitaram Yechury debated against it. 

Jay Panda argues the decision will tackle the root problem

Sitaram Yechury alleges Constitution is being violated

The Oxford Union had meanwhile stated that the 'debate will try to analyse whether the action is a misunderstood step towards greater national unity and prosperity or an alarming act of authoritarian overreach. “In August, Prime Minister Modi’s decision to revoke the special status granted to Jammu and Kashmir under Article 370 of the Constitution, and to split the State, which is majority Muslim, into two Union territories sparked international outcry and caused protests to erupt across the region,” said the Union. “Yet while some have derided the move as unconstitutional, undemocratic, and irresponsible, many in India have defended the action, arguing that it strengthens the economy and security of the State, and that special status was only ever meant to be temporary,” the Union’s statement added.

The Oxford Union Society is a debating society in the city of Oxford, England. Founded in 1823, it is one of Britain's oldest university unions and one of the world's most prestigious private students' societies. The Union has a tradition of hosting some of the world's most prominent individuals across politics, academia and popular culture. Some of the famous individuals include British Prime Minister Winston Churchill, the Dalai Lama, US President Bill Clinton, and actor Morgan Freeman. 

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Article 370 

In a massive development, the Government of India on August 5 abrogated Article 370 of the Indian Constitution that gave special status to the state of Jammu and Kashmir. Additionally, it also bifurcated the state into two union territories - Jammu-Kashmir and Ladhak. Following the abrogation, curfew was imposed along with communication blackout claiming to prevent any untoward incident. Mainstream political leaders like Omar Abdullah, Mehbooba Mufti were put into preventive detention in order to prevent any situation that would incite violence, the government said.

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