A major political confrontation erupted after President Droupadi Murmu publicly expressed disappointment over the arrangements at the International Santhal Conference in north Bengal, triggering sharp reactions from the central government and the Bharatiya Janata Party.
Soon after the President’s remarks, Prime Minister Narendra Modi criticised the West Bengal government led by Mamata Banerjee, calling the incident “shameful and unprecedented.”
In a post on X, Modi said the anguish expressed by the President had saddened the nation. “Everyone who believes in democracy and the empowerment of tribal communities is disheartened. The pain expressed by Rashtrapati Ji, who herself belongs to a tribal community, has caused immense sadness among the people of India,” the Prime Minister wrote.
He further accused the Trinamool Congress government of crossing limits and said the state administration was responsible for what he described as an insult to the country’s highest constitutional office.
Union Home Minister Amit Shah also launched a sharp attack on the state government, accusing it of ignoring protocol and humiliating the President.
In his statement, Shah said the TMC government had reached a new low in its “anarchic behaviour” by showing glaring disregard for constitutional protocol during the President’s visit.
The controversy began when President Murmu attended the International Santhal Conference as the chief guest in north Bengal. During her speech, she questioned why the venue had been shifted from Bidhannagar to Goshaipur, a location where only a small gathering was reportedly present.
Murmu said she was able to reach the venue without difficulty, even though the state administration had earlier suggested that the location might become overcrowded. Expressing disappointment, she said she was hurt by the arrangements.
“Perhaps they thought the President would come, hold the event in an empty place and go back. I do not know what they were thinking, but I am very hurt,” the President said.
She also spoke about the absence of Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee and her ministers during the visit. Referring to Banerjee in a personal tone, Murmu said she considers the Bengal Chief Minister like a younger sister.
“I am also a daughter of Bengal. I do not know if Mamata Banerjee is angry with me for some reason. But I have no complaints. I wish her well and I wish all of you well,” the President said.
The remarks quickly sparked a political war between the BJP and the Trinamool Congress.
Responding to the controversy, Mamata Banerjee dismissed the President’s comments and said the statements appeared political in nature. She urged the President to avoid remarks that, according to her, did not suit the dignity of the constitutional office.
Banerjee said the President had spoken about one community while ignoring others in the state and accused the BJP of influencing the narrative.
“Before commenting on West Bengal, you should see the condition of the BJP-ruled states,” she said while addressing a protest in Kolkata against the Special Intensive Revision of voter rolls.
The Trinamool Congress also issued a statement saying the President might have been under a “misinformed impression.” The party listed several welfare schemes implemented by the Bengal government for tribal communities and defended its record on tribal development.
The BJP, however, intensified its attack on the state government. Party leader Amit Malviya said the episode reflected a breakdown of constitutional propriety in West Bengal.
Malviya stated that ignoring the dignity of the President’s office was not merely discourtesy but a sign of deeper administrative failure and governance issues in the state.
With strong statements from both sides, the controversy has now turned into a major political flashpoint between the BJP and the Trinamool Congress, further escalating tensions between the central government and the West Bengal administration.
