Protocol Row Erupts Over President Murmu’s Visit to Santal Conference in West Bengal

Kolkata/Siliguri, March 8: A political controversy erupted in West Bengal after President Droupadi Murmu raised concerns over a sudden venue change and alleged protocol lapses during her visit to attend the 9th International Santal Conference in north Bengal.

The President, who travelled to the Darjeeling district on March 7 for the tribal conference, said the programme venue had been shifted unexpectedly and that no senior representative from the state government was present to receive her at the airport.

According to reports, the conference was originally planned at a large ground in Bidhannagar in Siliguri but was later moved to another location near Bagdogra airport, reportedly due to security and logistical considerations.

During her address, President Murmu expressed disappointment over the decision, saying the earlier venue would have allowed more people—especially members of the Santal community—to attend the event.

She also pointed out that neither Mamata Banerjee nor any state minister was present to receive her during the visit, which she described as a breach of protocol.

The remarks quickly triggered a political row between the Centre and the West Bengal government.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi criticized the incident, calling it an “insult” to the President and accusing the ruling Trinamool Congress government of failing to show due respect to the country’s highest constitutional office.

Union leaders, including Home Minister Amit Shah, also condemned the alleged protocol lapse and questioned the arrangements made for the President’s visit.

The Union Home Secretary has reportedly sought a detailed report from the West Bengal government regarding the alleged lapses during the President’s visit.

Responding to the criticism, Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee rejected allegations of disrespect and accused the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) of politicizing the President’s office for political gain.

Banerjee also stated that the state government had not organised the conference and denied that any intentional protocol violation had taken place.

The controversy has intensified tensions between the central government and the West Bengal administration, with both sides accusing each other of undermining constitutional decorum.

The incident has also drawn wider attention to questions of federal protocol, political rivalry, and the treatment of tribal community events in the state.