Mamata Banerjee faces protests during Oxford speech, holds up injury photo to defend political record

SFI-UK disrupts event, cites allegations of corruption and democratic suppression in West Bengal

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee’s address at Oxford University’s Kellogg College took a dramatic turn as members of the audience interrupted her with slogans and pointed political questions. The protest was led by the Students’ Federation of India (SFI-UK), a left-wing student group that later claimed responsibility for the disruption.

The Chief Minister, visibly frustrated by repeated interruptions, responded by holding up an old image of herself from the 1990s, showing her with a bandaged head. She cited it as evidence of an attempt on her life during her opposition years, using the photo to defend her political struggles and legitimacy.

Protest led by SFI-UK

SFI-UK, in a Facebook post, confirmed it staged a demonstration during Banerjee’s address.

“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,” the group stated.

During the speech, Banerjee was interrupted with questions about controversial topics, including:

• The RG Kar Medical College rape and murder case
• The Tata Group’s exit from West Bengal in 2008
• Allegations of religious discrimination
• Absence of student elections in the state for six years
• Suppression of student protests at Jadavpur University

Audience members also questioned her government’s claims on investments in the state. While trying to respond, Banerjee accused the questioners of politicizing the platform and attempting to derail her message.

Banerjee’s response and defiance

“This is not a political platform. Do not do politics here,” Banerjee said repeatedly, adding that the RG Kar matter was sub judice and under the Central government’s purview. She told protestors to go back to Bengal and make their political party “stronger” if they wanted to debate with her.

“You are not insulting me; you are disrespecting your institution,” she told the crowd. “These people do this everywhere I go.”

As disruptions continued, Banerjee again displayed the poster-sized image of her head injury and said:

“See my picture—this is how they tried to kill me.”

In another moment, when asked about her stance on minorities, Banerjee declared, “I am for all, Hindus and Muslims,” but the event was briefly overtaken by chants of “Go back.”

Debate over economic growth and future

Later in the event, Banerjee was asked about India’s economic future. Responding to a suggestion by businessman Karan Bilimoria that India would be the world’s largest economy by 2030, Banerjee expressed skepticism, citing global instability post-COVID-19.

“If there is an economic war-like situation, how do you think you can gain? But we can hope that we will gain,” she said.

SFI criticizes Oxford for hosting Banerjee

After the event, SFI-UK criticized Oxford University’s Kellogg College for inviting Banerjee, referring to her as an “anti-democratic leader.” The group claimed the protest was necessary to call attention to growing issues within West Bengal.

Despite the charged atmosphere, Banerjee stood firm:

“Didi is not bothered. Didi will come twice every year and fight like a royal Bengal tiger.”

Ending her speech on a defiant note, she said,

“If you tell me to wash your clothes or cook for you, I will. But if you force me to bow my head, I will not. I will only bow to the people.”

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