West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee’s speech at Oxford University’s Kellogg College took an unexpected turn as protesters repeatedly interrupted her with tough questions and slogans. The event, intended to showcase Bengal’s development and investment opportunities, quickly became contentious as members of the audience challenged her government’s record on various issues.

Despite the disruptions, Banerjee remained defiant, holding up an old photograph from the early 1990s, where she was seen with a bandaged head. She claimed the image was proof of an assassination attempt against her when she was in the opposition. In response to the protesters, she asserted that if they wanted to challenge her, they should first strengthen their party in Bengal.

The confrontation escalated when she spoke about Bengal’s economic growth and investment prospects. An audience member questioned the legitimacy of the “lakhs of crores” she claimed in investments and demanded transparency on the sources of funds. As Banerjee attempted to respond, multiple voices interrupted, with some insisting that the event was not a political debate. The situation became even more charged when she was asked about the RG Kar Medical College rape and murder case in Kolkata, which had triggered nationwide outrage. A protester accused her government of mishandling the investigation, but Banerjee dismissed the claim, stating that the matter was sub judice and under the central government’s jurisdiction. She insisted that the event should not be turned into a political battleground and accused the protesters of spreading misinformation.

As tensions mounted, one protester raised concerns about the treatment of Hindus in Bengal, prompting Banerjee to reaffirm her stance of inclusivity, stating that she stood for both Hindus and Muslims. However, chants of “Go back” erupted from some in the audience. The protest was led by members of the Students’ Federation of India (SFI-UK), a left-wing student group that accused her administration of corruption and suppressing democratic rights in the state. Frustrated by the constant interruptions, Banerjee pushed back, arguing that the protesters were disrespecting their own institution rather than her. She also claimed that some of them had an “ultra-left and communal” agenda and noted that similar disruptions seemed to follow her wherever she went.

Disclaimer: This image is taken from Screengrab.