The Crisis in Kashmir | Head-to-Head Debate at The Oxford Union

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"The Crisis In Kashmir: Should Special Status Have Been Revoked?"

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.

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. Was this action, then, simply a misunderstood step towards greater national unity and prosperity, or an alarming act of authoritarian over-reach?

SPEAKERS

Proposition:

Baijayant Panda: The current national Vice President of the Bharatiya Janata Party. He previously served as a member of the Lok Sabha.

Opposition:

Sitaram Yechury: Leader of the Communist Party of India (Marxist). He has represented West Bengal in the Rajya Sabha since 2005.


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