A public conversation with Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee

On 27 March 2025, Kellogg College hosted a public conversation with Mamata Banerjee, the Chief Minister of West Bengal, during her week-long tour of the UK.

As one of India’s leading women politicians, Banerjee has not only broken barriers in politics but has also made significant strides in empowering women in leadership roles. Her visit provided an opportunity to explore her journey to leadership, and her promotion of women’s rights and social development.

College President Jonathan Michie and Lord Bilimoria in conversation with Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee

Mamata Banerjee was joined on stage by Kellogg President, Professor Jonathan Michie, and Lord Bilimoria, a Bynum Tudor Fellow at Kellogg and a well-known entrepreneur, politician, and philanthropist. Well over 200 people attended the event, and those unable to fit into the Hub (the main lecture space) watched the livestream from other seminar rooms in college – with many hundreds around the world also logged onto the livestream.

The Chief Minister opened the evening with remarks centred on the themes of social development and women’s empowerment. She shared details about her government’s initiatives to uplift marginalised communities and empower women in West Bengal. Among the programmes she highlighted were Kanyashree Prakalpa, a cash incentive scheme for school-going girls, and Lakshmir Bhandar, which provides cash endowments to women, both of which have had a transformative impact on the lives of many.

Midway through the event, a small group of protesters briefly interrupted, shouting questions about her political stance and recent events in West Bengal. However, the majority of the audience called for the Chief Minister to be allowed to speak uninterrupted. Banerjee continued her address, focusing on the importance of national unity, the empowerment of women, and the achievements of her government in West Bengal.

Following her speech, the conversation turned to a more personal discussion, as Lord Bilimoria and Professor Michie asked Banerjee about various aspects of her journey, and the factors that had shaped her leadership. Their conversation highlighted her resilience and determination as a woman in politics.

This event underscored Kellogg College’s commitment to facilitating dialogue on important global issues. While we deeply value freedom of speech, we also believe that this requires discussions to remain respectful and constructive, allowing for the free flow of ideas.

Earlier in the day, the Chief Minister had joined a gathering of leading academics from across the University researching various aspects of Indian society.