I Work Like a Royal Bengal Tiger…”: Mamata Banerjee’s Oxford Speech Disrupted by Left-Wing Protesters; Didi Stays Calm, Urges Them to Do Politics in Bengal

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee delivered her maiden speech at Kellogg College, Oxford, on Thursday as a special guest invited by the University. However, the event was marred by interruptions from left-wing student protesters, who raised a series of questions ranging from Tata's exit from Singur in 2007 to the RG Kar rape and murder case involving a medical student in 2024.

Despite the disruptions, Banerjee remained composed, addressing the protesters with unusual calm. She urged them not to engage in politics at the event and advised them to return to Bengal if they wished to challenge her politically.
“My brother, listen to me carefully,” Banerjee said as a group of seven to eight protesters confronted her with posters. The protest centered on the controversial Tata exit from Singur in 2007. Banerjee, however, defended her actions, claiming that Tata had continued to operate in Kolkata, expanding into various sectors, including IT with companies like Infosys, Cognizant, IBN, and Wipro. Yet, the protesters remained unsatisfied and shifted focus to the RG Kar issue.

“What have you done in the RG Kar case?” one of the protesters shouted. Banerjee responded, calmly explaining that the matter was under investigation by central government agencies. “Please understand, the matter is sub-judice, and I cannot comment further,” she said. Despite her explanation, the protesters persisted, prompting the event organisers to intervene, asking the students to be more respectful.
Banerjee, however, maintained her poise, replying, “No, no, let them ask. Please raise your voice. This is democracy, and you can ask me questions, but don't do politics here. If you want to do politics, come to Bengal. You know better how crowdfunding has worked there.”
Banerjee was referring to the massive protests that followed the RG Kar case in August 2024, where allegations of mishandling by Kolkata Police were initially made. The case revolved around the rape and murder of a PGT medical student, an incident that sparked widespread outrage across the city and beyond. Eventually, the CBI confirmed that the case was one of rape and not gang rape, and they found no evidence of tampering by the Kolkata Police. Special medical teams corroborated the CBI's findings.

Despite the continued disruption, Banerjee remained unflustered. “This is a platform where people should be allowed to listen. Don’t behave like this, it’s misbehaving. You’ve fulfilled your agenda. Now you can have a good sleep,” she remarked, dismissing the protest. One of the protesters even displayed an old black-and-white photograph of Banerjee, taken in 1990 after an alleged attack by Lalu Alam, a CPI(M) youth wing member. In the image, she is seen wrapped in bandages.
Remaining unfazed, Banerjee concluded on a positive note, stating, “Now, I will come twice each year to Oxford. You have given me strength and inspiration. You have encouraged me. Didi does not bother. She works like a Royal Bengal Tiger.”

Following the disruption, Oxford College authorities apologised for the "unsolicited and unwarranted" protests. However, Banerjee, who is on a four-day tour of London, primarily to attend the Oxford event, dismissed the protests. “Jealousy has no medicine. They do it wherever I go,” she said, shrugging off the incident.
Interestingly, Banerjee had anticipated the disruption before her departure for London. She had claimed that state intelligence had intercepted WhatsApp messages indicating a planned demonstration during her speech, aimed at creating a scene. The UK-based Student Federation of India (SFI) claimed responsibility for the protest. In a post on their social media, they stated, “SFI-UK held a demonstration at 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.”​