New Delhi – Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday accused the West Bengal government of a “shameful and unprecedented” insult to President Droupadi Murmu, following her expression of dissatisfaction with logistical arrangements for the 9th International Santal Conference. The dispute centers on a last-minute venue change and the absence of key state officials at the event.
President Murmu, addressing attendees at the altered location near Bagdogra airport, voiced her concerns over the shift from the originally scheduled site in Bidhannagar, questioning whether the change was intended to discourage participation from the Santal community. “I don’t know what went through the administration’s mind that they chose a place for the conference where the Santal people couldn’t go,” she stated, according to reports. She further expressed sadness that few people were able to attend, suggesting the administration may have anticipated low turnout. “Perhaps the administration had hoped that no one would be able to attend, and the President would simply turn around and leave,” Murmu said.
The President also noted the absence of West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee and other state ministers, stating, “If the President visits a place, the chief minister and the ministers should also come.” She added, “I am also a daughter of Bengal. Mamata Didi is also my sister, my younger sister. I don’t know if she was angry with me, that’s why this happened.”
Prime Minister Modi responded swiftly, taking to X (formerly Twitter) to condemn the actions of the West Bengal government. “Here’s shameful and unprecedented. Everyone who believes in democracy and the empowerment of tribal communities is disheartened,” Modi wrote. He asserted that the TMC government had “truly crossed all limits” and held the state administration “responsible for this insult to the President.” Modi also highlighted the significance of the President, who hails from a tribal community, and lamented the perceived casual treatment of Santal culture by the state government.
Chief Minister Banerjee countered the accusations, alleging that the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) was exploiting the President’s office to discredit her government. “BJP has stooped so low that they are using President Droupadi Murmu to malign the state,” Banerjee said at a protest site in Kolkata, according to multiple reports.
The venue for the International Santal Conference was changed citing security and logistical concerns, shifting the event from Bidhannagar in Siliguri to Goshaipur near Bagdogra airport. Upon President Murmu’s arrival at the new location, only Siliguri Mayor Gautam Deb was present to greet her, a fact noted in reports detailing the limited attendance and the President’s subsequent remarks.
The escalating dispute underscores the political tensions between the ruling BJP at the center and the TMC in West Bengal, particularly as both parties prepare for upcoming elections. No immediate response has been issued from the President’s office beyond her initial comments at the conference.
