Who is Yana Mir, speaker behind the viral 'I am not Malala...' speech in UK?
PTC web Desk: Kashmiri activist and journalist Yana Mir's powerful speech in UK Parliament has gained widespread attention, especially for her assertion that she is not a "Malala Yusufzai" and will never become one, emphasising her freedom and safety in Kashmir, India. Speaking at the Sankalp Divas event in UK Parliament, Yana Mir passionately addressed concerns related to the portrayal of Kashmir, urging for an end to the fabrication of stories of oppression.
Yana Mir vehemently declared, "I am not a Malala Yusufzai because I am free and I am safe in my country, in my homeland Kashmir, which is part of India." She expressed her firm stance against defamatory narratives about her country and criticised those engaging in divisive tactics on social media without firsthand experience in Indian Kashmir.
I am not a Malala
I am free and safe in my homeland #Kashmir, which is part of India
I will never need to runaway from my homeland and seek refuge in your country: Yana Mir @MirYanaSY in UK Parliament. #SankalpDiwas pic.twitter.com/3C5k2uAzBZ — Sajid Yousuf Shah (@TheSkandar) February 22, 2024
While her impactful speech resonated with many, some social media users questioned Yana Mir's identity, suggesting that she is not a Kashmiri Muslim and pointing out her purported actual name as Yana Mirchandani. However, these claims have not been independently verified.
The speech, which garnered significant attention, also brought along unwarranted threats for Yana Mir. Sajid Yousuf Shah, the BJP media in-charge for Kashmir, revealed on social media that Yana Mir had received threats following the viral video. Shah condemned the threats and attributed them to the influence of the "Toolkit gang," insinuating a coordinated effort against Mir.
Two minutes of Yana Mir's @MirYanaSY video in the UK Parliament has taken the internet by storm. Pakistan and its propaganda machinery have issued threats to #YanaMir.
It seems the "Toolkit gang" has been quite active for the past 48 hours. More power to you Yana. — Sajid Yousuf Shah (@TheSkandar) February 23, 2024
Yana Mir urged individuals residing in the UK and Pakistan to cease maligning India on international platforms, emphasizing the need to stop selective outrage and polarisation. She pleaded for a halt to remote attempts to influence Indian society from abroad and called for peace for her Kashmiri community, which has endured the impacts of terrorism.
In response to the threats against Yana Mir, Sajid Yousuf Shah expressed solidarity with her and highlighted the influence of the "Toolkit gang" in orchestrating such incidents. The tweet emphasised the need to support Yana Mir against unwarranted intimidation.
Yana Mir is a multifaceted individual, serving as an activist, journalist, and TedX speaker hailing from Srinagar. She holds a Bachelor's degree in Journalism and Mass Communication from IEC University and an MBA from the University of Mumbai
Yana Mir's professional journey includes roles such as a writer at Firstpost and the managing editor at iTV Network. Her previous experiences encompass serving as the editor-in-chief at TRK News and holding the position of head of marketing at a Mumbai-based firm.
Notably, Yana Mir is recognised as the first woman YouTuber from Jammu and Kashmir, boasting a substantial following of over 20 lakh subscribers on her YouTube channel. The channel features a diverse range of content, with more than 165 videos. In addition to her media engagements, Yana Mir is the vice president of All JK Youth Society (AJKYS), a social welfare wing of the Zaberwan Group. This organisation is committed to the welfare, safety, and empowerment of youth across the Kashmir Valley.
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