NEW DELHI: An address by West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee due to have been made on Wednesday (August 1) to students of St Stephen's College in New Delhi has been cancelled. People familiar with the matter in Mamata's party — Trinamool Congress — have claimed that the college suspended the event because of growing "saffron pressure". Although, the reason for the cancellation by the college is yet to be confirmed, TMC has cited "protocol issues" as mentioned by the college in an apology written to Mamata, expressing regret for cancellation.
According to sources, the Bengali Literary Society of the college had invited Mamata for the event.
St Stephen's principal John Varghese could not be reached for a comment despite multiple attempts by the TNIE.
Mamata is scheduled to leave for New Delhi on Monday. This is the third event in recent weeks which Mamata was supposed to address but got cancelled.
"First, the Vivekananda event in Chicago. Then her China visit and now St Stephens! Mamata Banerjee is giving the BJP-RSS sleepless nights. Let them keep trying, she cannot be silenced. The Bengal CM's trip to Delhi is on schedule. She will be chief guest at the 'Love your Neighbour' conference organised by India's largest Christian body, The Catholic Bishops Conference of India, at 2.30 pm on July 31," a senior Trinamool MP said.