• Home
  • World News
  • Protestors Disrupt Mamata Banerjee's Oxford University Speech, CM Asks for Respectful Debate

Protestors Disrupt Mamata Banerjee's Oxford University Speech, CM Asks for Respectful Debate

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee referred to the protesters as "Left, ultra-Left friends and communal forces" and said she was okay if they had queries.

Protestors Disrupt Mamata Banerjee's Oxford University Speech, CM Asks for Respectful Debate

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee's speech at the University of Oxford's Kellogg College on Thursday was also interrupted by agitators bringing up different concerns, including Tata Group's pulling out from West Bengal in 2008 and the 2024 one surrounding the rape and murder of a trainee doctor at Kolkata's RG Kar Hospital and Medical College.

 

While addressing, Banerjee highlighted the welfare schemes focus of Bengal and women empowerment, pointing out that the state is executing 97 social sector programmes and that Kolkata has emerged as a major job hub in the nation.

 

While speaking, the audience members wore placards and challenged her stand on issues. Banerjee hit back calling the protesters "Left, ultra-Left friends and communal forces" and said she did not care if they posed questions. She held up a photograph from the 1990s depicting the injuries she had suffered during the Left Front regime, adding, "These were your atrocities. This is how you wanted to kill me. Have a look."

 

Banerjee asked the protesters not to politicize the occasion, saying, "Please do not do politics here. This is not a political platform. you can [protest] in my state. Not here." She further said, "You are insulting your institution. Do not disrespect your institution. This is their habit. They cannot change their habit."

 

In spite of the interruptions, Banerjee went on with her speech, stressing the need for unity and communal harmony. She stated that Bengal has 34% minorities, such as Muslims, Christians, Buddhists, and others, and stressed her devotion to unity among all communities.

 

The event ended without any further incident, and Banerjee stated that she was determined to go on with her work, saying, "Didi does not bother. She works like a Royal Bengal Tiger."

 

The crisis in Oxford has touched India too, with opposition politicians attacking Banerjee's response to the crisis. Amit Malviya, the BJP IT cell chief, called her a "disgrace to West Bengal," claiming that the Hindu Bengali community wants her to be removed as Chief Minister for supposedly bringing shame to the legacy of Bengal.

 

Banerjee's UK visit was meant to promote ties with allies and promote Bengal's development plans. The Oxford incident highlights the controversy and challenges surrounding her leadership at home and abroad.

 


FSU Campus Shooting: 2 Dead, 6 Injured in Horrific Florida State University Shooting

FSU Campus Shooting: 2 Dead, 6 Injured in Horrific Florida State University Shooting

The shooting at Florida State University was done with the help of a pistol by the suspect, Phoenix ...
US Vice President JD Vance to Visit India, Likely to Meet PM Modi and Discuss Cultural Relations

US Vice President JD Vance to Visit India, Likely to Meet PM Modi and Discuss Cultural Relations

The vice president will have an audience with Prime Minister Narendra Modi in India when he is in Ne...
US President Donald Trump Suspends Tariffs on Most Countries, Imposes 125% Tariff on Chinese Imports in Brash Trade Action

US President Donald Trump Suspends Tariffs on Most Countries, Imposes 125% Tariff on Chinese Imports in Brash Trade Action

In the immediate wake of the US President's signing of a 90-day suspension of retaliatory tariff...
Trump's 26% Tariffs on Indian Goods Come into Effect, Igniting Trade Row and Economic Alert

Trump's 26% Tariffs on Indian Goods Come into Effect, Igniting Trade Row and Economic Alert

On Wednesday morning, President Donald Trump's massive 26% tariffs on India took effect. &nbs...
Indian-American Tech Veteran Vaniya Agrawal Slams Microsoft Executives over Gaza War, Resigns in Protest

Indian-American Tech Veteran Vaniya Agrawal Slams Microsoft Executives over Gaza War, Resigns in Protest

​At the company's 50th birthday party, Vaniya Agrawal spoke to Microsoft leaders Steve Ballmer...
India Ships 442 Tonnes of Relief Food to Earthquake-Ravaged Myanmar Under Operation Karuna

India Ships 442 Tonnes of Relief Food to Earthquake-Ravaged Myanmar Under Operation Karuna

An Indian naval ship delivered 442 metric tonnes of relief food to Thilawa Port, about 400 kilometre...
PM Modi in Sri Lanka: Ceremonial Welcome in Colombo as India, Lanka Look to Seal Crucial Defence, Energy Deals

PM Modi in Sri Lanka: Ceremonial Welcome in Colombo as India, Lanka Look to Seal Crucial Defence, Energy Deals

Also on Saturday, Sri Lankan President Anura Kumara Dissanayake accorded PM Modi a ceremonial welcom...
Myanmar Earthquake Death Toll Exceeds 2,000 as Frantic Rescue Efforts Continue

Myanmar Earthquake Death Toll Exceeds 2,000 as Frantic Rescue Efforts Continue

Three days since a shallow 7.7-magnitude earthquake hit the country, more than 3,900 individuals hav...
Myanmar Earthquake Kills 1,644: Foreign Aid Arrives as Anti-Coup Forces Halt Fighting

Myanmar Earthquake Kills 1,644: Foreign Aid Arrives as Anti-Coup Forces Halt Fighting

In the wake of the horrific earthquake that hit central Bangkok and other parts of the nation, the d...
Deadly 7.7-Magnitude Earthquake Rocks Myanmar, Killing 674 and Wounding More Than 700

Deadly 7.7-Magnitude Earthquake Rocks Myanmar, Killing 674 and Wounding More Than 700

In Thailand, across the border, a tower fell, with eight confirmed dead and over 70 missing.  ...