It was supposed to be a showcase of Bengal’s social upliftment on a global stage. Instead, it turned into a political theatre that pitted a Chief Minister against a group of student protesters—in Oxford, of all places.
West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee’s much-publicised speech at Oxford University’s Kellogg College in London was disrupted by student protestors belonging to the Students’ Federation of India (SFI)—the student wing of the Communist Party of India (Marxist). What ensued was not just a protest but a full-blown rhetorical duel that blurred the lines between statesmanship and street-level politics.
But the bigger story? Mamata didn’t flinch. She roared back—literally and metaphorically.
A Global Platform, A Local Storm
Standing before an international audience, Mamata Banerjee aimed to speak on “social development of women, children, and marginalised communities.” Instead, the spotlight quickly shifted from her government’s flagship schemes to the smouldering political tensions of her home state.
Placards went up. Accusations were shouted. The issues raised included the alleged rape of a minor girl by the son of a Trinamool Congress leader, violence during the 2023 panchayat elections, and even Mamata’s 2012 remarks on the causes of rape, which critics deemed regressive and dismissive.
The optics were damning. But Banerjee, known for her combative political style, didn’t retreat.
Didi Responds: Sweets and Smackdowns
“Thank you for welcoming me. I’ll feed you sweets,” Mamata quipped with a wry smile, flipping the script with sarcasm and sugar.
She urged the protesters to speak louder, asserting it was their democratic right to question her. But she quickly drew boundaries. The RG Kar rape case? “The investigation is with the Centre, not the state,” she clarified, dismissing the protesters’ allegations of government inaction.
One protester accused a TMC leader of issuing threats. Mamata’s retort: “You are lying.”
And then, she shifted the emotional tone. Holding up a black-and-white photo from 1990, she reminded the audience of a near-fatal attack on her allegedly by a CPI(M) worker. “These are your atrocities,” she declared, accusing the left of habitual political violence.
Chaos and protests at Mamata Banerjee’s event at Kellogg College (Oxford University).
— Farrago Abdullah Parody (@abdullah_0mar) March 28, 2025
Protestors were seen questioning Mamata’s position on the RG Kar case and Hindus. pic.twitter.com/nwvJ7uijpx
Drama or Defiance? Public Opinion Splits
To her supporters, Mamata’s calm yet forceful rebuttal was a masterclass in political theatre.
“She doesn’t flinch. She doesn’t falter. The more you heckle, the fiercer she roars,” wrote her party’s X (formerly Twitter) handle, alongside a clip of her confrontation. The Trinamool dubbed her the “Royal Bengal Tiger,” a phrase now trending in Bengal’s political circles.
But the opposition, particularly the BJP, saw the episode as an international embarrassment.
“She is a disgrace to Bengal,” tweeted BJP IT cell head Amit Malviya, sharing images of the protest placards. Another BJP leader, Sanjay Jaiswal, accused Banerjee of carrying an “anti-India agenda” abroad.
The divide couldn’t be starker. One side views her as a fearless leader defending democracy, the other as a political liability exporting domestic chaos to foreign lands.
Oxford Reacts: From Confusion to Applause
Amid the heckling and headlines, the audience’s response was nuanced. Some appeared visibly uncomfortable, while others appreciated Mamata’s efforts to de-escalate and steer the conversation back to her original topic.
After the protestors exited, Banerjee regained control and completed her speech, highlighting schemes like Swasthya Saathi (universal health coverage) and Kanyashree (girl child education empowerment).
A senior fellow at Kellogg College later commented anonymously, “It was unexpected, but she handled it with a unique mix of empathy and assertion. We’ve rarely seen that from Indian politicians on foreign soil.”
Left vs. Didi: A Conflict Reignited
For observers of Bengal politics, this wasn’t just a protest—it was a microcosm of a long-standing feud.
The Trinamool Congress, formed in defiance of the Left Front’s decades-long rule, has always treated the CPI(M) as a political nemesis. What unfolded at Oxford was not just an interruption; it was an export of Bengal’s political theatre of resistance.
Mamata’s final warning summed it up: “The same thing can be repeated when your leaders visit.” Her words dripped with irony, wrapped in a threat.
Who Won the Moment?
While opinions are polarised, one thing is certain—Mamata Banerjee dominated the headlines.
Whether it was her call for unity among all communities—“Hindu, Muslim, Sikh, Isai”—or her now-viral line, “Didi walks like a Royal Bengal Tiger. If you can catch me, catch me!”—the Chief Minister turned what could’ve been a PR disaster into a moment of political resilience.
But the deeper question remains: Can symbolic strength override governance challenges back home?
FAQ
1. Why was Mamata Banerjee protested during her speech at Oxford?
Protesters from the SFI (Students’ Federation of India) raised issues about alleged rape cases, political violence, and Mamata’s past controversial statements on rape during her speech in London.
2. What was Mamata Banerjee’s response to the protesters?
She welcomed the protest, encouraged dialogue, clarified case statuses, and accused the opposition of trying to politicise the event.
3. What specific cases did the protesters highlight?
They mentioned the 2023 panchayat election violence, and the alleged rape of a minor girl by a TMC leader’s son, among others.
4. How did Mamata defuse the situation?
By engaging directly with the protesters, maintaining composure, offering witty responses, and reminding them of her own political struggles.
5. What did Mamata mean by “Didi walks like a Royal Bengal Tiger”?
It was a metaphorical assertion of her strength and resilience, suggesting she won’t be intimidated by criticism or opposition.
6. What schemes did Mamata promote in her speech?
She highlighted initiatives like Swasthya Saathi (healthcare) and Kanyashree (education and empowerment of girls).
7. What was the BJP’s reaction to the incident?
BJP leaders criticised Mamata, calling her a disgrace to Bengal and accusing her of pushing an “anti-India agenda” on foreign soil.
8. Was Mamata’s speech disrupted entirely?
No. Despite the protest, she completed her address and received applause from parts of the audience.
