Mamata heckled by group of protesting students during speech at Oxford University event

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee faced massive protest during her speech at Oxford University's Kellogg College in London on Thursday. Student leaders of the Student Federation of India (SFI) raised Go Back slogans and raised questions on issues related to post-poll violence in Bengal as well as RG Kar Medical College.

However, Chief Minister Banerjee handled the situation with restraint and responded to the protesters while maintaining decorum. Initially, the guests present in the audience were shocked by the sudden protest, but they appreciated the Chief Minister's response.

Finally, CM Mamata Banerjee finished her speech without any interruption

Although it was heard that that Mamata Banerjee, is telling the protesters, "Tell your party to increase its strength in our state (West Bengal) so that they can fight us.

Reacting to this, the Trinamool Congress chief showed an old photo of herself from the early 1990s with a bandage on her head and claimed that it was proof of an attempt to assassinate her when she was in the opposition.

Ruckus started when an audience member asked her about specific investment proposals worth lakhs of crores.

As the CM tried to answer, another member from the audience intervened. The CM asked the audience to stop as it was not a press conference. Though several meetings related to industry and trade were held during the London visit, the speech of the Chief Minister at Kellogg College stole the limelight.

Finally, the protesters were forced to leave the hall due to mass protests from the rest of the audience.

The Chief Minister was invited to Kellogg College to speak on the social development of women, children and marginalized sections of society.

While speaking, Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee was referring to projects like Swasthya Sathi and Kanyashree in the state.

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While speaking about the industrial situation in West Bengal, when the topic of Tata's investment in TCS company was raised, some people from the back of the audience stood up with placards in their hands.

These had written on them about the elections and post-poll violence in the state as well as the RG rape case. The audience tried to shout and put forth their point during the Chief Minister's speech.

However, the Chief Minister was not at all perturbed by this and continued to handle the protest in a calm but firm tone from the beginning. Chief Minister said to the protesters, you are welcoming me, thank you. I will feed you sweets.

I am not able to hear you

When the protesters raised the issue of the RG Kar rape case, the Chief Minister retorted, speak a little louder, I am not able to hear you. I will listen to everything you say. Do you know that this matter is pending? The responsibility of investigating this matter is now in the hands of the central government, the matter is no longer in our hands.

Mamata Banerjee further said, do not do politics here, this is not a platform for politics.

Go to my state and do politics with me

Even though the protesters raised the issue of the Jadavpur University. The Chief Minister then addressed a protester as brother and said, do not lie. I sympathize with you. But instead of making this a platform for politics, go to Bengal and tell him to strengthen his party so that they can fight us.

Protesters raised the issue of the Jadavpur University

On hearing the Chief Minister's reply, the guests present in the audience started clapping loudly. After this, the protesters tried to raise their voice. The Chief Minister also replied to them; do not insult your institution by insulting me. I have come as a representative of the country. Do not insult your country.

Later, the organizers of the program and the guests present collectively raised their voice against the protesters.

Do not insult your institution by insulting me

Apart from many NRIs, representatives of many different countries were also present to listen to the Chief Minister's speech. However, the organizers of the program have apologized to the Chief Minister for this unexpected incident.

However, the Chief Minister calmly said, you have encouraged me to come here again and again. Remember, Didi doesn't care about anyone. Didi moves like a Royal Bengal Tiger. If you can catch me, catch me!

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Meanwhile, the All India Trinamool Congress wrote on X: She (Mamata Banerjee) doesn't move. She doesn't falter. The more you prod, the more fiercely she roars. She is a Royal Bengal Tiger!

Amid constant interruptions, someone from the audience raised a question about the treatment of Hindus in Bengal. CM Banerjee replied, I am for all, Hindus and Muslims, following which a section of the audience raised slogans of Go Back.

Summary

The protest was led by members of the left-wing student organisation Students Federation of India (SFI-UK), who accused CM Banerjee and her government of corruption and suppression of democratic rights.