India’s President Droupadi Murmu has sharply criticized the administration of Mamata Banerjee in West Bengal over arrangements made for the International Santhal Conference, triggering a fresh political controversy between the central leadership and the state government.
During her visit to north Bengal to attend the event, President Murmu expressed disappointment over what she described as poor arrangements and a sudden change of venue for the conference. The President questioned why the programme location had been shifted and why attendance appeared lower than expected.
Concerns Over Venue Change and Protocol
The event was originally expected to be held at a larger venue, but the location was reportedly changed at the last moment to another site near Bagdogra in the Darjeeling region. President Murmu said the change affected the participation of members of the Santhal community who had planned to attend the conference.
She also raised concerns about the absence of Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee or other senior state ministers during her visit, questioning whether the state leadership was upset with her. The President remarked that she felt “very sad” about the situation and the way the arrangements were handled.
Political Reactions Intensify
The issue quickly turned into a political flashpoint. Supporters of the central government accused the West Bengal administration of disrespecting the office of the President and mishandling a major tribal community event.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi also criticized the state government, calling the situation “shameful and unprecedented” and stating that the incident had hurt people who value democracy and the empowerment of tribal communities.
Mamata Banerjee Responds
Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee rejected the allegations and accused the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) of politicizing the issue. She said the President’s remarks were being used by political opponents to target the state government.
The Chief Minister also stated that it was not always possible for her to attend every event due to political commitments, especially with elections approaching in the state.
Focus on Tribal Representation
The controversy has also drawn attention to the importance of the Santhal community, one of India’s largest tribal groups. President Murmu herself belongs to the Santhal community, making the event particularly significant for tribal representation and cultural recognition.
As the political exchange continues, the row highlights growing tensions between the central and West Bengal governments while bringing national attention to issues of protocol, governance, and respect for tribal cultural events.