A major political controversy broke out on Saturday after President Draupadi Murmu expressed disappointment over the arrangements for the 9th International Santhal Conference held in Darjeeling. The BJP accused the West Bengal government of insulting the President and tribal communities, while the Trinamool Congress (TMC) denied any violation of protocols, calling the allegations politically motivated.
Speaking after attending the conference, Murmu questioned the selection of the venue and said that many members of the Santhal community could not attend the event. He also pointed out the absence of West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee.
“Today was the International Santal Conference. When I came here after participating in it, I realized that it would have been better if the conference was held here, because this area is very vast. I don’t know what was going on in the minds of the administration. I am very sad that the people here could not attend the conference because it was held very far away,” the President said.
She also commented on the absence of the state leadership, saying, “If the President visits a place, the Chief Minister and ministers should also come. But she did not come.”
President Murmu further said that he has a personal connection with the state. “I am also a daughter of Bengal. Mamta didi is also my sister, my younger sister. I don’t know whether she was angry with me or not, because of which this happened,” he said.
Meanwhile, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee rejected the allegations of protocol violation. Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah strongly criticized the West Bengal government on this issue, saying that the TMC government has insulted the President.
The Prime Minister posted on
The TMC government of West Bengal has truly crossed all limits. He further said, “Their administration is responsible for this insult to the President. The post of the President is above politics and the dignity of this post should always be respected.”
Shah also condemned the incident, saying, “The TMC government in West Bengal has touched a new low in its lawless behavior by insulting the President of India in blatant disregard of protocol. This exposes the shortcomings of the TMC government. This disrespect of India’s highest constitutional post… is an insult to our nation and the values that are the hallmark of our constitutional democracy.”
Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman described the President’s remarks as unprecedented. He said, “This outrage expressed by Rashtrapati Bhavan is rare and full of deep sadness. It is unprecedented. All details of protocol must be followed. This violation is a gross abuse of India’s highest office.”
Union Minister Piyush Goyal said the incident has tarnished the image of the state government. West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee and the TMC government have reached a new low. Violating the protocol is not just a lapse but an insult to the dignity of the highest constitutional post of our nation,” he said.
Union Minister Bhupendra Yadav said, “It is a sad day for everyone who believes in democracy and empowerment of tribal communities. The TMC government in West Bengal has crossed all limits.”
Union Minister G Kishan Reddy said he was “deeply disturbed” by the developments. Union Minister Giriraj Singh said, “This is extremely shameful. The insult to the highest constitutional post… is not just an insult to an individual, but also an insult to the Constitution of India and the dignity of democracy.”
Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma described the incident as deliberate. “This insult to the respected President and the wider tribal community is the worst example of TMC’s divisive politics,” he said.
Union Minister Dharmendra Pradhan said the situation had “raised serious questions about the conduct and preparedness of the officials responsible.” Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis also criticized the state government. He said, “The conduct of Mamata Banerjee’s state government is highly condemnable and extremely shameful.”
Union Minister Sarbananda Sonowal described it as “an unprecedented and shameful incident for India’s democracy”. Moreover, other BJP leaders also extended their support in the criticism.
Responding to the criticism, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee rejected the allegations of protocol violation.
“The International Santhal Council, a private organisation, has invited the Honorable President to the 9th International Tribal Santhal Conference to be held in Siliguri,” Banerjee wrote on X.
He said district officials had raised concerns about the organisers.
“Following enhanced security contact, the district administration informed the President’s Secretariat in writing that the organizers appeared to be inadequately prepared… yet the event continued as scheduled.” Banerjee further said that she was not part of the official list.
“The Chief Minister of West Bengal was not a part of the program or platform planning. There has been no violation of any protocol on the part of the district administration. The BJP is insulting and misusing the highest office of the country for its personal agenda.”
Later, addressing a gathering, Banerjee accused the BJP of politicizing the issue ahead of the elections. She asked, “When atrocities are committed against tribals, why don’t you protest? When it happens in Madhya Pradesh or Chhattisgarh, why don’t you protest?”
Meanwhile, Congress leader Udit Raj said the issue raises questions about how the President was treated in the past. He said, “He was neither invited to the inauguration of the new Parliament building nor to the inauguration of the Ram temple. So, what respect did the government which appointed him give him?”
President Murmu’s comments have sparked a major political row between the BJP and opposition parties amid the upcoming West Bengal Assembly elections, with both sides accusing each other of insulting the country’s first citizen. BJP leaders say the event is an “insult” to the President and tribal communities, while the West Bengal government says the event was organized by a private institution and no protocols were violated.
He said, “Don’t play politics during elections… Before commenting on West Bengal, you should see the situation in BJP ruled states.”
