London – In a lethal attack against the “propaganda mechanism” operating in Pakistan, Kashmiri activist and journalist Yana Mir slammed the country for actively trying to “dent India's image on the international stage”. In her statement at the 'Sankalp Divas' hosted by the UK Parliament in London, Mir said that she is completely “safe and free” in Kashmir and called it an integral part of India. She went on to call the international media to “stop dividing” the people of Jammu and Kashmir by promoting such narratives. Mir also stirred headlines after she insisted that "she is not Malala Yousafzai," who had to flee her home country because of all the threats she had received.  

“I am not a Malala Yousafzai, because I am free and safe in my country, India. In my homeland, Kashmir, which is part of India. I will never need to run and seek refuge in your country. I will never be a Malala Yousafzai but I object to Malala for defaming my country, my progressive homeland, by calling it oppressed,” the Kashmiri activist explained in her keynote speech at the British parliament. 

"I object to all such toolkit members from social media and international media, who have never cared to visit Indian Kashmir but fabricate stories of oppression from there," she added. 

Mir went on to urge the gathering to stop “polarising Indians on the grounds of religion”. "We won't allow you to break us. This year on Sankalp Divas, all I hope for is that our perpetrators living in the UK and Pakistan will stop maligning my country in international media or on international human rights forums. Stop unwanted selective outrage, and stop trying to polarise Indian society by reporting from your UK living rooms. Thousands of Kashmiri mothers have already lost their sons because of terrorism. Stop coming after us and let my Kashmiri community live in peace. Thank you and Jai Hind," she concluded. 

Mir lauds abrogation of Article 370 

During the event, the Kashmiri activist was felicitated with the Diversity Ambassador Award for championing diversity in the Jammu and Kashmir region. Mir went on to laud the abrogation of Article 370 and outline the progress the region has witnessed since then. Yana took her time to hail the Indian Army's efforts in the region, which included the de-radicalisation programmes and substantial investments in youth for sports and education, countering media narratives that vilify the Indian Army. According to ANI, the event was attended by over 100 attendees which included members of the British parliament, local councillors, community leaders, representatives from various organizations, and prominent members of the diaspora.

As per the reports, the event intended to provide a comprehensive overview of the socio-cultural and political landscape of Jammu and Kashmir, underscoring the diverse multi-cultural, multireligious and multi-linguistic nature of J&K. The event was organised by the Jammu and Kashmir Study Centre UK and was attended by notable guests like MP Bob Blackman, MP Theresa Villiers, MP Elliot Colburn and MP Virendra Sharma.