West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee’s keynote address on social development, women, and child empowerment at an Oxford event was marred by protests from the Students’ Federation of India – United Kingdom (SFI-UK). The student union held up posters and even questioned her on the state’s “societal development”, alleged “lethargy against the RG Kar incident” and “post-poll violence in West Bengal”. The event took place at Kellogg College, Oxford University, in London.

Mamata Banerjee responded to the students with composure, and her reply was met with appreciation from the audience. “I am not lying, please, my brother. Please listen carefully, I’ll be very happy if you ask me the question…. Please don’t do politics here. It is not a political state…,” Mamata Banerjee told the students.

She added, “Do it with me, in my state, not here. If you want to make it a political platform, go to Bengal and tell your party to be more strong and more strength to fight against the communal.”

When asked about the RG Kar rape and muder case, she said, “The case is sub judice and central government has taken over it. It is not with us. Please, don’t do politics here.”

“That is wrong. They have already started Tata Cognizant. I am not lying, my brother; please listen, please see that Tata set up their industry in Kharagpur last year. If you ask me, nobody is left out,” she said in response to a question from an audience member about Tata’s ‘forced’ exit from Bengal.

In October 2008, Ratan Tata announced the shutdown of operations for a small car factory in Singur, located in West Bengal’s Hooghly district, after protests over the forcible acquisition of agricultural lands.

BJP shares videos, posters

“Bengali Hindus confront West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee at Kellogg College in London, raising angry slogans calling her out for the rape and murder of the lady doctor at RG Kar, crimes against women in Sandeshkhali, the genocide of Hindus, and widespread corruption…,” wrote BJP Amit Malviya while sharing a video on X (formerly Twitter).

While sharing pictures of a few posters that were held up, Amit Malviya wrote, “She is a disgrace to West Bengal. The Hindu Bengali diaspora wants her out as the Chief Minister for destroying Bengal’s legacy and putting them through such ignominy.”

As the protests started, she said, “Don’t behave like this. It is misbehaving. You, instead of insulting me, are insulting your own institution. Don’t disrespect your institution. You can disrespect me, but you cannot disrespect your institution.”

“I am for all. I am for Hindus, Muslims, Sikhs, and Christians,” she added as the protests intensified. It was followed by “Go back” slogans from the protestors.

SFI-UK heckled Mamata Banerjee at Oxford

“We opposed her blatant lies by asking her for evidence of the social development she claims to pioneer. Instead of allowing us to peacefully express our opinions, the police were called,” said SFI-UK on X (formerly Twitter). 

The student union added, “We questioned her on her statements of victim-blaming and lethargy against the RG Kar incident. When Mamata Banerjee claimed to support the students and democratic rights in Bengal, we asked her why the students have not been able to hold university elections for last 6 years.”

“We asked why students at Jadavpur University are being tormented and attacked for demanding their rights to student democracy. When Banerjee claimed to have advanced women’s empowerment in the state, we asked why the female school dropout rate has increased by 19% in the last year,” the statement further said.

“You go to Bengal and tell your political party to become even stronger. I will answer you; first see my picture, how an attempt was made to kill me,” she told the students. 

She then pulled up a picture of herself from the early 1990s. It shows her head injuries. Pointing to the black-and-white image, she added, “I was about to die. This is your atrocities. Just see. Just have a look.”