The students’ wing of the CPI(M), Student Federation of India (SFI), took responsibility for the protest during West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee’s speech at Oxford University’s Kellogg College in England. The TMC sharply criticised the SFI.
A statement by the SFI stated, “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… In support of the students and working masses of West Bengal, SFI-UK raised its voice in opposition to Mamata Banerjee and the TMC’s corrupt, undemocratic rule.”
SFI West Bengal Secretary Debanjan Dey said, “Whenever the Chief Minister lies… on RG Kar, Jadavpur (University), students union elections and many other issues… we will protest against her.”
In response to the protests, TMC leader Kunal Ghosh who accompanied Banerjee on her trip to London said, “Those who thought that they would disturb the Chief Minister ultimately had to escape following the composed handling of the situation by her… Those who resorted to such nuisance were jealous of the progress in West Bengal under the leadership of the Chief Minister. Those who resorted to such nuisance are unsatisfied souls.”
Youth Trinamool Congress leader and in-charge of the party’s IT cell in West Bengal Debangshu Bhattacharya accused those who resorted to the protests during the Chief Minister’s speech of being part of an “anti-Indian, anti-Bengal and anti-humanity” organisation. “However, I congratulate the Chief Minister for the patient and composed manner in which she handled the entire situation. I could not have maintained my cool had I been in her situation. The fitting reply that the Chief Minister gave to them was a slap on the faces of their leaders in West Bengal who planned the entire nuisance from here,” Bhattacharya said.
BJP leaders attack Banerjee for comment on India’s economy
On the other hand, BJP leaders attacked CM Mamata Banerjee for her statement during an interview with a college representative. When she was asked if she thinks India would become the largest economy in the world by 2060, she said, “I will differ.”
BJP state president Sukanta Majumder said on X, “India has surpassed the UK to become the world’s fifth-largest economy—a moment of pride for every Indian! Yet, Mamata Banerjee is tarnishing India’s reputation on foreign soil. Her anti-India rhetoric is not only shameful for every Bengali and Indian but also an insult to the constitutional office she holds. It is evident that you have failed as a Chief Minister, but do you even hesitate to call yourself an Indian? Are you truly an Indian?… Disrespecting the nation on foreign soil is equivalent to openly opposing India.”
Party youth leader Indranil Khan also posted on X, “Any patriotic Indian feels proud to hear of her country’s progress on foreign land. It’s natural… but.. Something is seriously wrong with our Chief Minister! Just see how terribly she reacts when she is told of India’s growing financial prowess! Why, for India’s sake, couldn’t she keep politics home for a while and accept her own country’s progress even as the Western world is admitting that?”