Fall of the Oxford Union: Bastion of free speech to pawn of the Pakistani deep state

In recent years, the Union has repeatedly allowed its prestige to be exploited for partisan propaganda, particularly in debates involving contentious subjects like Pakistan and terrorism.

- ADIT KOTHARI

The Oxford Union, founded in 1823, has long been regarded as one of the world's foremost platforms for rigorous debate and fearless exchange of ideas.

For two centuries it welcomed statesmen, scientists, revolutionaries and thinkers. From Winston Churchill to Albert Einstein, it earned a reputation as a temple of open discourse guided by the principle of seeking truth above all else. Its motto, “Non sibi sed toti”, translating as not for one, but for all, encapsulated a commitment to universal truth seeking.

Yet in recent years, the Union has repeatedly allowed its prestige to be exploited for partisan propaganda, particularly in debates involving contentious subjects like Pakistan and terrorism. The events of 27 November 2025 represent a particularly stark illustration of this erosion.

Senior advocate J. Sai Deepak, a prominent legal scholar and author of the widely acclaimed book “India, Bharat and Pakistan”, was formally invited in July 2025 by the incumbent president of the Oxford Union, Moosa Harraj, to oppose the motion “This House Believes That India’s Response to Pakistan is a Populist Strategy Sold as Security Policy”.

The originally announced Pakistani speakers included former Foreign Minister Hina Rabbani Khar, former Chairman Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee General Zubair Mahmood Hayat, and Pakistan's High Commissioner to the United Kingdom, Dr Mohammad Faisal. On the Indian side, several high profile names were circulated in the media like clickbait. Most like India’s former Union Minister Subramanian Swamy had either declined months earlier or like the Congress MP from India, Sachin Pilot, had never even received formal invitations.

Just two days before the event, the Union urged Sai Deepak to assemble a UK based team citing last minute cancellations, at extremely short notice. He promptly proposed Jammu & Kashmir expert Manu Khajuria and Dharmic scholar Pt Satish K. Sharma as capable opposition speakers.