Mumbai-born Oxford student roasts Pakistan at Oxford Union, video goes viral

Speaking against the motion titled “India’s policy towards Pakistan is a populist strategy sold as security policy”, Viraansh Bhanushali described the claim as a “fundamental misreading” of India’s reality.

Opening his argument with a reference to the 26/11 Mumbai terror attacks, Bhanushali said he had “lived through the consequences of the India–Pakistan saga”.

Recalling the attacks, the former Mumbaikar said one of the targets was the Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus, which his aunt regularly visited.

“By chance or by providence, she took a different train home that night, narrowly escaping the fate of the 166 souls that did not,” he said.

He also referred to the Taj Mahal Palace Hotel attack, noting that his best friend’s father, a National Security Guard major, was among the first commandos to enter the hotel during the operation.

“For three nights, Mumbai did not sleep, and neither did I,” Bhanushali said, recalling how he followed developments on television as a schoolboy.

He also cited the 1993 serial bomb blasts, mentioning that a suburban railway station located just 200 metres from his home was targeted.

“We have learnt it the hard way — you cannot shame a state that has no shame,” Bhanushali said, referring to terror attacks such as Pathankot, Uri and Pulwama.

Arguing that India does not seek war with Pakistan, he said, “We want to be boring neighbours. We want to trade onions and electricity. But until the state that defends itself stops using terror as an instrument of foreign policy, we will keep our powder dry. If that is populism, then I am a populist.”

Bhanushali is currently pursuing a BA in Jurisprudence (LLB), English Law with Law Studies at St Peter’s College, University of Oxford. He is an alumnus of NES International School in Mumbai and currently serves as Chief of Staff to the Oxford Union president.