'Madam, Tata Has Run Away from Your State, Don’t Lie': Mamata Confronted LIVE At Kellogg College

London: West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, on Thursday, faced a barrage of tough questions and protests from students and attendees at an event held at Oxford University's Kellogg College. The event, which was meant to showcase the state's economic progress and investment opportunities, quickly descended into chaos as protestors confronted Mamata over various issues, including her government's approach towards Hindus, the RG Kar case, Tata and the alleged threat by one of her ministers to break the fingers of those who demand her resignation.

The event began with Mamata touting her government's economic achievements, showcasing the state's business summit and the billions of dollars in investment proposals received. She claimed that over 23 lakh million investment proposals had been received, with 14 lakh crores already implemented and 5 lakh crores of projects under process. However, her pitch was met with skepticism by the audience, with one protestor asking for specific names of companies that had invested in the state.

The dramatic confrontation occurred when Mamata Banerjee reached the Kellogg College, part of Oxford University, to take part in a seminar on "Social Development - Girl Child, Women Empowerment" on March 27. 

How Tata Issue Escalated

Mamata said, “Till now, more than 23 lakhs, means 23 lakhs million investment proposal is already there….Earlier, up to last year, it was 19 crores…the investment proposal."

However, the protestor questioned the specifics of these investments, asking, "Excuse me, madam, I am interested in a few names, not the lakhs and lakhs, no, lakhs are coming, can you give me a few?" Mamata responded, "There are so many." The protester pressed on, saying, "There's a time and place for everything."

Mamata then mentioned a few companies that had invested in the state, including IBM, Tata, Infotech, and Wipro. "It may be IBM, it may be Tata, it may be Infotech, it may be Wipro, it may be Tehucha Panchmi, it may be Economic Corridors," she said.

The conversation took a turn when a protestor asked about Tata's presence in the state. "Madam, Tata run away from your state," the protester said. Mamata disputed this claim, stating, "That is wrong. Tata Cognisant, please realise. They have already started Tata Cognisant." The protester retorted, "But don't lie, madam."

It was a contentious issue that arose during the event over the alleged departure of Tata from Bengal. A protestor accused Mamata Banerjee of lying about Tata's presence in the state, saying, "Madam, Tata has run away from your state, don't lie." Mamata responded by citing Tata's investment in Cognisant, a company that has set up its industry in Kharagpur and Rajahat area.

Also Read | Mamata Banerjee's Oxford Seminar Speech Erupts into Chaos & Fumes: CM Confronted Live on Tata, Hindus and RG Kar

Tata Group's Land Acquisition Row

The latest confrontation rewind the incidents that prompted Tata, which planned to establish a Tata Nano plant in Sangur, to shift to Gujarat. Notably, in 2008, the Tatas shifted the Nano project out of Bengal due to Mamata Banerjee's anti-land acquisition movement in Singur. Experts considered the move a major blow to the state's industrial development. Following the incident, the then group's chairman Ratan Tata had said, “I hope there is a bad M and a good M” after the Tata Nano project was relocated to Gujarat.

However, recently, at the eighth edition of the Bengal Global Business Summit (BGBS), Mamata Banerjee announced that Tata Sons Chairman N Chandrasekaran had promised to visit Kolkata soon to discuss investment proposals. Chandrasekaran also responded positively to Mamata's proposal for a direct flight from Kolkata to a European destination.

Although the $165-billion Tata group has continued with its businesses in Bengal through TCS, Tata Steel, and Tata Hitachi, and expanded some activities, it has steered clear of making fresh bets, especially those requiring the acquisition of large tracts of land, since the 2008 fiasco.

Protestors Demand Answers On RG Kar Case

The mood further turned more confrontational when a protestor asked TMC supremo Mamata Banerjee about the RG Kar case, which involves the alleged rape and murder of a female doctor inside a hospital. On this, Mamata attempted to deflect the question, stating that the matter was subjudice and it is with the central government. She further asked the protestors not to ‘do politics’ on the issue. The protester persisted, pointing out that Mamata's minister had made a threatening remark about breaking the fingers of those who demand her resignation.

Throughout the event, Mamata accused the protestors of playing politics and attempting to disrespect her and the institution. She repeatedly asked them to refrain from politicising the issues and to focus on constructive dialogue. She also told the protestors to visit Bengal if they wanted to engage in politics and advised them to strengthen their party to fight against communal people. Mamata also showed a photo of her being attacked during the Left rule, claiming it was evidence of attempts to harm her.

On her invitation to visit Bengal to ask questions on RG Kar and other issues, another protestor brought up a comment made by one of Mamata's ministers, who allegedly threatened to break the fingers of those who demand her resignation. "Because when we come and ask you questions in Kolkata, your ministers say we will break your finger," the protestor said. Mamata responded, "I don't, this is absolutely you are lying. Brother, you don't do it, brother….I have a special affection for you. We love all of you. But don't try to make it into a political platform."

As the audience continued questioning her, Mamata lost her temper, saying, "This is a platform where you have to allow people to listen. Don't behave like this. It's misbehaving." Mamata also mentioned that some people have a habit of behaving this way everywhere she goes, saying, "Everywhere, this is their habit. They cannot change their habit." "This is their habit everywhere. Wherever I go," she drew a connection between the protestors and the political parties. 

The incident occurred at the event during her six-day UK visit, which included a lecture at Oxford University, business meetings and an Indian High Commission event.

After the whole episode, the event ultimately ended in chaos, with major confrontations and protests from the attendees.