Kolkata: West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee embarked on a six-day official visit to London from 22 March to 28 March, ostensibly aimed at strengthening ties between West Bengal and the United Kingdom. For the past one month, the Trinamool Congress ecosystem and media outlets beholden to the Chief Minister published gushing reports that she had been invited to deliver a speech at Oxford University. She reached London on 23 March.
The trip, her second to London following a business engagement in November 2017, was packed with a series of high-profile engagements. Banerjee arrived in London on 23 March, ready to immerse herself in a blend of diplomacy, business, and intellectual discourse.
The visit commenced with a notable moment of personal flair as Banerjee, dressed in her signature white saree and slippers, took a morning jog in Hyde Park on 24 March. Dressed in a black cardigan and shawl to combat the chilly London weather, this “warm-up”—as she described it—captured widespread attention. A video of the Chief Minister and her entourage walking backwards in Hyde Park went viral and sparked a memefest.
Back home, the manufactured euphoria about her Oxford University invite took a beating when Biswanath Goswami, an RTI (Right to Information) activist, raised questions regarding her scheduled address at Oxford University. He wrote to the University of Oxford. Goswami claimed that the university’s response indicated there were “no records” of her visit or address, casting doubt on the authenticity of the event.
This revelation was highlighted by Suvendu Adhikari, the Leader of Opposition in West Bengal, who used Goswami’s findings to allege that Banerjee’s claim of speaking at Oxford University was a lie and aimed at misleading people months before the 2026 Assembly elections.
Adhikari pointed out that Banerjee was actually invited to Kellogg College, an affiliated college of Oxford University, rather than the university itself, and accused her of exaggerating the event’s prestige for political gain.
Goswami’s assertion thus fuelled a political controversy, with Opposition parties like the BJP and CPI(M) questioning the credibility of Banerjee’s trip, while the Trinamool Congress (TMC) defended her, arguing that Kellogg College was indeed part of the Oxford University system and that the invitation was legitimate.
The Trinamool Congress and its supportive ecosystem, after weeks of plugging an “Oxford University” event, was forced to acknowledge that her invitation did actually come from Kellogg College, one of the multitude of colleges affiliated to Oxford University.
Alongside her delegation, Mamata Banerjee explored iconic sites like Buckingham Palace, emphasizing the historical and cultural parallels between Kolkata and London.
She later attended a high tea reception at India House, hosted by Vikram K. Doraiswami, the High Commissioner of India to the UK. Banerjee highlighted Bengal’s potential as an investment hub, citing its skilled workforce and industrial growth.
The highlight of her trip came on 27 March, when she delivered a lecture at Kellogg College, an affiliate of Oxford University, on “Social Development: Empowerment of Women and Children.” This address detailed her government’s women-centric initiatives, such as the Kanyashree scheme, which has gained global recognition.
Banerjee was confronted by left-wing student protesters during her speech. A group of students—belonging to the UK unit of the CPI(M)’s Students’ Federation of India (SFI)—showed up with placards during her speech. They raised questions over violence during the 2023 panchayat elections, the rape of a minor girl allegedly by the son of a Trinamool Congress leader, and Banerjee’s 2012 statement on why rapes happen—men and women interact more freely now, like an open market.
Within minutes of their members being escorted out, the Students’ Federation of India-United Kingdom posted on social media: “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.
“We questioned her on her statements of victim-blaming and lethargy against the RG Kar incident. When Mamata Banerjee claimed to support the students and democratic rights in Bengal, we asked her why the students have not been able to hold university elections for last 6 years.”
Banerjee responded to the protesters while maintaining courtesy lined with sarcasm. “Tell your party to increase its strength in our state so they can fight with us,” the Chief Minister told the protesters.
The protestors held aloft banners referring to post-poll violence and killings. When questioned about the RG Kar rape and murder, Mamata Banerjee responded: “This matter is sub judice, this case is with the central government. Do not do politics here, this platform is not for politics. You are lying. Do not make it a political platform. You go to Bengal and tell your political party to become even stronger.”
When the protestors shouted questions about post-poll violence, Mamata Banerjee replied: “I will answer you, first see my picture, how an attempt was made to kill me. You should give me a chance to speak. You are not insulting me, you are disrespecting your institution. These people do this everywhere. They do it wherever I go.”
When questioned by some older members of the audience about reports of Hindus being targeted in her state, Banerjee side-stepped the issue and said: “I support every religion. I support Hindus, Muslims, Sikhs, Christians. Do not name one caste, name everyone. What you people are doing is not right. The politics you people are doing, my ultra-left friends and communal friends don’t do this.”
BJP leader Amit Malviya, sharing a video of the incident, remarked, “Bengali Hindus confront West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee at Kellogg College in London, raising angry slogans calling her out for the rape and murder of the lady doctor at RG Kar, crimes against women in Sandeshkhali, the genocide of Hindus, and widespread corruption.” He further branded Mamata Banerjee as a “disgrace to West Bengal” for allegedly failing to protect Hindu interests and women’s safety in the state.
Adding fuel to the controversy, BJP leaders criticised Mamata Banerjee for allegedly undermining India’s economic progress on foreign soil.
During her discussion on “Social Development: Girl, Child and Women Empowerment in West Bengal” at Kellogg College, a host stated that India is projected to become the world’s largest economy by 2060. Banerjee, however, disagreed, saying, “I will differ (on) that.”
Amit Malviya slammed her stance, stating: “West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee has a problem with India becoming the world’s largest economy… This is truly shameful. She is a disgrace to the constitutional office she holds. Who behaves like this on foreign soil?”