Kashmiri Journalist Counters “Propaganda” in UK Parliament, Asserts Freedom in Homeland

In a compelling speech at the UK Parliament, Yana Mir, a social activist and journalist from Jammu and Kashmir, stood against what she termed as “propaganda” targeting the region. Honored with the Diversity Ambassador award by UK MP Theresa Villiers, Mir emphatically declared, “I’m not a Malala Yousafzai,” countering comparisons with the Nobel Peace Prize winner who sought refuge in the UK.

Mir, emphasizing her safety and freedom in her homeland, asserted her commitment to Kashmir, stating,“I will never run away from my homeland and seek refuge in your country (UK). I can never be a Malala Yousafzai.”Her remarks were made during an event hosted by the Jammu and Kashmir Study Centre, UK, dedicated to studying the region and its associated issues.

The journalist criticized Yousafzai for allegedly “defaming” India by describing Kashmir as “oppressed” and accused her of being part of a group spreading false narratives without firsthand experience in the region. Mir called for an end to the polarization based on religion, urging, “Stop coming after us and let my Kashmir community live in peace.”

The video of Mir’s speech has garnered over a million views on social media. In response to the viral clip, she clarified that the “Malala theory” was attributed to her by her sister. Prominent figures, including actor Anupam Kher, congratulated Mir on her impactful address.

The event, named ‘India’s Sankalp Divas,’ took place at the House of Commons in the UK Parliament, organized by the Jammu and Kashmir Study Centre (JKSC), a think tank dedicated to studying the issues surrounding Jammu and Kashmir.

Mir concluded her speech on ‘Sankalp Divas’ with a plea to those outside her homeland, stating, “Stop maligning my country in international media and human rights forums… Stop coming after us.” She highlighted the human toll of terrorism, expressing the collective pain of thousands of Kashmiri mothers who have lost their sons.