President Murmu Slams Bengal Govt Over ‘Snub’
President asks why no minister received her during north Bengal visit; TMC hits back
- President Droupadi Murmu questions absence of Bengal ministers during her visit
- Also raises concerns over venue change of International Santal Conference
- PM Modi and Amit Shah accuse TMC government of insulting the President
- Mamata Banerjee says remarks are political and defends tribal welfare record
GG News Bureau
Darjeeling/Kolkata, 7th March: A political controversy erupted in West Bengal on Saturday after President Droupadi Murmu questioned the absence of state government representatives during her visit to north Bengal and raised concerns about the change in venue of the International Santal Conference she attended.
Speaking at the conference, Murmu said she was surprised that neither Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee nor any member of her cabinet was present to receive her.
“I do not know why the state administration did not allow the meeting there. There is ample space. I am also a daughter of Bengal. Mamata Banerjee is like my younger sister. I do not know whether she is upset, which is why the programme was held there,” the President said.
Murmu was referring to the change in venue of the International Santal Conference, which was reportedly shifted from Bidhannagar to Goshaipur, where the turnout was relatively low.
The President also raised questions about the development of tribal communities in the region.
“Is development taking place for Santals and tribals in this region? I don’t think so. Are the development and facilities from the Centre reaching you? I don’t think so,” she said, suggesting that some people may have been prevented from attending the event.
Her remarks triggered sharp reactions from political leaders.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi criticised the Trinamool Congress government, calling the incident “shameful and unprecedented”.
“The pain and anguish expressed by Rashtrapati Ji, who herself comes from a tribal community, has caused immense sadness among the people of India,” Modi wrote on social media platform X.
Union Home Minister Amit Shah also accused the state government of disregarding protocol.
“The TMC government in West Bengal hit a new low in its anarchic behaviour by humiliating the President with its glaring disregard for protocol,” Shah said.
Responding to the criticism, Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee said the President’s remarks were political in nature.
Speaking during a protest in Kolkata against the Special Intensive Revision of voter rolls, Banerjee said she respectfully disagreed with the comments.
“I would humbly request the President not to make statements that don’t speak well of your post. You spoke about one community today, but not about the rest of the communities in Bengal,” Banerjee said.
She also questioned the timing of the President’s visit, suggesting that repeated visits during the election period made it difficult for her to attend every programme.
“If you come once a year, I can welcome you. But if you come repeatedly during election time, how is it possible for me to attend everything?” she said.
The Trinamool Congress also defended its record on tribal welfare and said the President appeared to be “misinformed”.
In a statement on social media, the party listed several initiatives taken by the state government for Scheduled Tribe communities, including financial assistance under the Lakshmir Bhandar scheme, scholarships for students and programmes aimed at the development of tribal areas.
“These are measurable, on-ground interventions aimed at ensuring dignity, opportunity and development for Adivasi communities across Bengal,” the party said.
The exchange has intensified the political confrontation between the ruling Trinamool Congress and the Bharatiya Janata Party ahead of the upcoming West Bengal Assembly elections.
