Mamata Banerjee heckled by students during speech in Oxford
What's the story
West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee encountered a group of protesting students who interrupted her speech at Kellogg College, Oxford University, over issues including post-poll violence and the RG Kar College scandal. However, Banerjee handled the disruption with grace, even responding to the protesters while maintaining her composure. "Don't do politics here, this is not a platform for politics. That you can do with me in my state, not here," she told them.
Diplomatic handling
Banerjee's calm response to protesters
The event became heated when audience members interrupted Banerjee with challenging questions, like the oppression of Hindus in Bengal, to which the TMC supremo replied, "I am for all, Hindus and Muslims, Sikhs and Christians." Moments afterward, chants of "Go back" broke out from a segment of the audience, adding to the mayhem. Visibly upset by now, Banerjee told them, "You should give me a chance to speak. You are not insulting me; you are disrespecting your institution."
Defiant stance
Banerjee's response to criticism and allegations
When the uproar failed to subside, Banerjee, in a theatrical act of tenacity, produced a poster-sized picture of herself from the 1990s showing her with a bandaged head from major injuries. "First, see my picture, how an attempt was made to kill me," she said. She was also thrown questions regarding the Tata Group's controversial withdrawal from the state during her tenure, and she yet again used the photograph from the 1990s to highlight her political challenges.
Twitter Post
Video of the chaos
Protests were held during Mamata Banerjee's speech at Kellogg College, Oxford this evening, disrupting the event. pic.twitter.com/uovvF08Xo1
— Naomi Canton (@naomi2009) March 28, 2025
Speech highlights
Banerjee's speech focused on women's and children's social development
Banerjee had been invited to Kellogg College to speak on social development for women, children, and marginalized sections. Later, she told the protesters, "Tell your party to increase its strength in our state (West Bengal) so that they can fight with us." She also asked the university administration to establish an institute in Kolkata, claiming she would "give land within a day" for the purpose.
Protest details
SFI-UK claims responsibility for disrupting Banerjee's speech
The Students' Federation of India - United Kingdom (SFI-UK), a left-wing organization, has taken responsibility for the interruption during Banerjee's speech. "We opposed her blatant lies by asking her for evidence of the social development she claims to pioneer," the group said. On their Facebook page, they said, "In support of the students and working masses of West Bengal, SFI-UK raised its voice in opposition to Mamata Banerjee and the TMC's corrupt, undemocratic rule."