Several videos have surfaced online, showing tensions building up as Banerjee addressed the students.
SFI-UK held a demonstration in Kellogg College, Oxford against Mamata Banerjee’s speech. 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. pic.twitter.com/pj0WRpvZUa
— Students’ Federation of India – United Kingdom (@sfi_uk) March 27, 2025
The TMC supremo, during her address, stressed the importance of inclusive development, adding how division in society has always been counterproductive. She also asserted that her governance model does not allow discrimination and that she has constantly prioritised the welfare of all sections of society. “If I die, before my death, I want to see unity. Unity is our strength, and division leads to our fall. This was Swami Vivekananda’s belief. Keeping unity is a difficult task, but dividing people takes only a moment. Do you think the world can sustain such divisive ideology?” she said in a part of her speech.
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
However, the event turned dramatic after some students started interrupting the CM with sharp questions.
With the escalating tension, a student sitting in the audience demanded to know how her government had handled the sensitive RG Kar Medical College rape case, followed by questions about the treatment of Hindus in Bengal. At one point, chants of “Go Back” also erupted from the audience, adding more to the chaos.
While Mamata Banerjee was delivering her lecture in #KelloggCollege Oxford , it got interrupted by questions on #Tata and #RGKAR
What @MamataOfficial said on #RGKAR
You know the matter is sub judice and Centre has taken the case , it’s not with us now .Don’t do politics… pic.twitter.com/GMHBngrRiJ
— Kamalika Sengupta (@KamalikaSengupt) March 27, 2025
In response to the questions, Banerjee explained that the RG Kar case is under judicial consideration with the central government. “Don’t do politics over here. This is not a political stage. You can do politics against me in my state. I don’t mind. Please raise your voice. This is a democracy, and I will listen carefully,” she continued.
Addressing the protester as “brother”, Banerjee added, “If you want to make it a political platform, go to Bengal and tell your party to be stronger, to fight against the communal people. Don’t fight with me.”
চিত্ত যেথা ভয়শূন্য, উচ্চ যেথা শির
She doesn’t flinch. She doesn’t falter. The more you heckle, the fiercer she roars. Smt. @MamataOfficial is a Royal Bengal Tiger!#DidiAtOxford pic.twitter.com/uqrck6sjFd
— All India Trinamool Congress (@AITCofficial) March 27, 2025
The situation didn’t end there, as the CM, in a dramatic move, ended up pulling out a poster of herself from the 1990s, showing her with head injuries. She was allegedly assaulted by Lalu Alam, a CPI(M) youth wing worker. In 2019, Lalu Alam walked free due to a lack of evidence.
Pointing at the picture, Banerjee added, “I was about to die. These are your atrocities.”
After the intense session at the college, Mamata Banerjee had a walking tour of Oxford’s historic campus.
