New Delhi, March 8 (IANS). Union Parliamentary and Minority Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju has reacted sharply to the controversy amid President Draupadi Murmu’s visit to West Bengal. He said that the post of President is beyond politics. The challenges faced by President Draupadi Murmu are ‘unfortunate’ not only for West Bengal but for the entire country.
Union Minister Kiren Rijiju posted on social media platform
Earlier, Kiren Rijiju, while sharing the video of President Murmu’s address, wrote, “I have always been proud to be a tribal and an Indian. This shameful act of the Chief Minister of West Bengal has hurt my pride. Insulting Draupadi Murmu, a tribal woman holding the post of President of India, is an insult to tribal pride and an attack on the Constitution of India.”
The comments came after President Draupadi Murmu expressed displeasure over the last-minute change of venue of the Santhal Conference ceremony in West Bengal’s Darjeeling district. President Murmu had reached Phansidewa area of Siliguri Divisional Council, but as per protocol, the Chief Minister or any minister had not arrived to welcome her.
Not only this, the President was to participate in the program organized in Bidhannagar, Siliguri, but the West Bengal administration reportedly refused permission for the program citing security concerns. In such a situation, the organizers had to shift the program to a smaller place in Goshaipur.
Addressing the people, President Draupadi Murmu said that today was the International Santhal Conference. When I came here after attending the program, I realized that it would have been better if this conference was held here, because this area is very vast. I don’t know what was going on in the minds of the administration. He said no, this place is crowded, but I think five lakh people could have easily gathered here. I don’t know why they took us there, away from this place.
The President further said that I do not know what was going on in the mind of the administration that they chose such a place for the conference, where Santhal people cannot go. I am very sad that people here could not make it to the conference because it was held so far away. Perhaps the administration expected that no one would be present and the President would leave.
President Murmu also said that if the President goes somewhere then the Chief Minister and ministers should also come, but she did not come. I am also a daughter of Bengal. Mamta didi is also my sister, my younger sister. I don’t know that she was angry with me, that’s why it happened.
–IANS
DCH/