Meet Viraansh Bhanushali: The Mumbai-born Oxford law student whose speech went viral and is now in the BRICS spotlight
Viraansh Bhanushali first caught the internet’s attention with a speech at the Oxford Union. Now, the Mumbai-born Oxford law graduate has found himself in the spotlight again after appearing as a youth speaker at the 18th BRICS Summit in New Delhi, where he spoke about India’s place in a changing global order. But before the BRICS stage, it was his confident arguments on India’s policy towards Pakistan at Oxford that made him a familiar name on social media.Bhanushali, who studied law at the University of Oxford, became widely discussed after a video of his Oxford Union debate began circulating online. His speech, delivered during a debate on India’s policy towards Pakistan, drew attention for its references to India’s security concerns as well as his personal memories of the 26/11 Mumbai attacks.
From Mumbai to Oxford
Bhanushali grew up in Mumbai and later moved to the UK for higher education. At Oxford, he pursued BA Jurisprudence at St Peter’s College, while also becoming involved in the Oxford Union, one of the world’s best-known student debating societies.His time at the Union gave him a platform to engage with questions around politics, foreign policy and international affairs. He served as its Chief of Staff and was involved in several of its activities. It was one particular debate, however, that pushed him into the wider public eye.
The speech that went viral
The motion was: “This House Believes That India’s Policy Towards Pakistan Is a Populist Disguise for Security Policy.” Bhanushali spoke against the motion, drawing on India’s history of terror attacks and his own memories of the 26/11 Mumbai attacks.His arguments, exchanges during the debate and delivery began circulating across social media, prompting interest in the young law student behind the speech.For Bhanushali, the episode marked a sudden shift from being known primarily within Oxford’s debating circles to being recognised by audiences in India.
From the Oxford Union to BRICS
That visibility has since taken him to a very different stage. At the 18th BRICS Summit in New Delhi, Bhanushali appeared as a youth speaker and discussed issues including BRICS, India-China relations and the role of the Global South. His appearance put him in a setting far removed from the Oxford debating chamber where many Indians first encountered him.
Viraansh Bhanushali’s Oxford Union speech sparked widespread attention online
There is also a more personal element to his journey as a public speaker. In a post reflecting on his Oxford Union experience, Bhanushali has spoken about growing up with a stammer and working to become comfortable with public speaking. He described his voice as something that was “built, not gifted”.The detail offers a glimpse of the journey behind the confident speaker seen in the viral clips- one that involved finding his voice over time.Also, Bhanushali is back in the news for another reason. After graduating with a law degree from the University of Oxford, he is relocating to New Delhi to start his legal practice.
