New Delhi: The Union Home Ministry has officially requested a comprehensive report from the West Bengal Chief Secretary following an alleged breach of protocol during President Droupadi Murmu’s visit to Siliguri. Home Secretary Govind Mohan directed the state administration to submit the findings by 5 p.m. today after the President expressed her public displeasure over the logistical arrangements and the absence of high-ranking state representatives during her reception at Bagdogra Airport.
The controversy erupted on Saturday during the 9th International Santhal Conference, an annual event celebrating tribal heritage. Originally scheduled to take place in Bidhannagar, Siliguri, the venue was shifted at the last minute to a smaller ground in Gopalpur near the airport, citing security and logistical constraints. President Murmu criticized the decision, suggesting that the smaller location prevented many members of the tribal community from attending. She questioned the state’s motives, remarking that it appeared as though some officials did not want the Santhal community to gather in large numbers or flourish.
Further tensions arose regarding the absence of Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee or any other state minister at the airport. According to standard protocol, the President is typically received by the head of the state government or a senior cabinet member. Instead, Siliguri Mayor Gautam Deb was the sole representative present. President Murmu noted that while she considers the Chief Minister a “younger sister” and views herself as a “daughter of Bengal,” the lack of a formal ministerial reception was notable. She questioned whether the administration was intentionally avoiding the event or if there was personal friction, though she maintained that the well-being of the people was her primary concern.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi responded to the incident on social media, describing the situation as a shameful departure from democratic traditions. He asserted that the office of the President should remain above partisan politics and expressed hope that the Trinamool Congress government would recognize the gravity of the oversight. In a sharp rebuttal, Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee accused the BJP of using the President’s office to malign West Bengal. Speaking at a protest site in Kolkata, she suggested that the President should investigate the condition of tribal communities in BJP-ruled states before commenting on Bengal, further claiming that the information provided to the President regarding the absence of state representatives was factually incorrect.
During the conference itself, President Murmu spoke passionately about the unsung heroes of the Santhal community and their contribution to India’s history. She highlighted the bravery of figures like Tilka Manjhi and the Sidhu-Kanhu brothers, urging the youth to preserve their linguistic traditions and the Ol Chiki script. Despite the surrounding political friction, she emphasized that the history of India’s freedom struggle remains incomplete without acknowledging the bravery and sacrifices of the tribal population, calling for a balance between progress and nature conservation.
