“Didi Walks Like Royal Bengal Tiger”: Mamata Banerjee To Left Protesters In UK
West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee was confronted by left-wing pupil protesters throughout her maiden speech on the Kellogg Faculty, Oxford College in London on Thursday. A gaggle of scholars – belonging to the UK unit of the CPI(M)’s College students’ Federation of India (SFI), confirmed up with placards throughout her speech. They raised questions over violence through the 2023 panchayat elections, the rape of a minor woman allegedly by the son of a Trinamool Congress chief, and Ms Banerjee’s 2012 assertion on why rapes occur – women and men work together extra freely now, like an open market.
SFI-UK held an indication in Kellogg Faculty, Oxford in opposition to Mamata Banerjee’s speech. We opposed her blatant lies by asking her for proof of the social improvement she claims to pioneer. As a substitute of permitting us to peacefully categorical our opinions, the police have been known as. pic.twitter.com/pj0WRpvZUa
— College students’ Federation of India – United Kingdom (@sfi_uk) March 27, 2025
As a substitute of being slowed down by the protesters, she welcomed them and responded to their allegations: “You might be welcoming me, thanks. I’ll feed you sweets.”
When college students started questioning the Chief Minister over RG Kar rape case, she stated, “Please increase your voice. It’s a democracy. Please increase your voice. I am going to pay attention. I’ll pay attention rigorously.”
SFI-UK held an indication in Kellogg Faculty, Oxford in opposition to Mamata Banerjee’s speech. We opposed her blatant lies by asking her for proof of the social improvement she claims to pioneer. As a substitute of permitting us to peacefully categorical our opinions, the police have been known as. pic.twitter.com/pj0WRpvZUa
— College students’ Federation of India – United Kingdom (@sfi_uk) March 27, 2025
Sharing the case standing, Ms Banerjee stated the central authorities has taken over the investigation and the state authorities has no function to play. She additional urged pupil protesters to not take pleasure in politics.
“You already know the case is sub-judice and the central authorities has taken over. It isn’t with us. Please do not do politics right here. It isn’t a political state. That (politics) you are able to do with me in my state. Not right here,” she stated.
One of many pupil protestors alleged that the Trinamool chief threatened to interrupt their fingers. “You might be mendacity,” Ms Banerjee shot again.
Addressing the protester as “brother”, Ms Banerjee stated, “Do not do it. I’ve a particular affection for you. We love all of you. Do not attempt to make it right into a political platform. If you wish to make it a political platform, go to Bengal and inform your celebration to be stronger, to battle in opposition to the communal folks. Do not battle with me.”
The Chief Minister additionally held up a black and white {photograph} from 1990 that confirmed her injured and wrapped in bandages from an alleged murderous assault on her by Lalu Alam, a CPI(M) youth wing employee. In 2019, Lalu Alam walked free as a consequence of an absence of proof.
Accusing folks of making an attempt to kill her, Ms Banerjee stated, “I used to be about to die. These are your atrocities.”
The Chief Minister stated this is not “drama” and insisted protestors to not misbehave. “As a substitute of insulting me, you might be insulting your establishment. Do not disrespect your establishment. You may disrespect me, however you can’t disrespect your establishment.”
Ms Banerjee alleged that that is the “behavior” of the left to create chaos wherever she goes. “The identical factor could be repeated when your leaders go to,” she warned.
She additionally stated that she believes in unity. “I’m for Hindu, Muslim, Sikh, Isai. I’m for all. I’m for unity. You persons are not.”
The Chief Minister added, “You encourage me. Didi will come each time. Didi doesn’t hassle anyone. Didi walks like a Royal Bengal Tiger. If you happen to can catch me, catch me!”
চিত্ত যেথা ভয়শূন্য, উচ্চ যেথা শির
She would not flinch. She would not falter. The extra you heckle, the fiercer she roars. Smt. @MamataOfficial is a Royal Bengal Tiger!#DidiAtOxford pic.twitter.com/uqrck6sjFd
— All India Trinamool Congress (@AITCofficial) March 27, 2025
Sharing the clipping on social media platform X (previously Twitter), Trinamool wrote: “She would not flinch. She would not falter. The extra you heckle, the fiercer she roars. Smt. @MamataOfficial is a Royal Bengal Tiger!”
