Political Tensions Rise in West Bengal Over President's Visit

Conflict Arises Over Presidential Event in West Bengal

Following a dispute between the central government and the West Bengal administration regarding an event attended by President Droupadi Murmu, Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee asserted on Sunday that there was no breach of protocol, as reported by a local news outlet.

Banerjee stated, “The responsibility for any mismanagement during the president’s program in Bengal falls on the private organizers and the Airports Authority of India. We hold the office of the president and the Constitution in the highest regard, which we consider our mother. Do not place the blame on us.”

Her comments came after President Murmu criticized the Trinamool Congress government for choosing a smaller venue for an event she attended in Darjeeling district on Saturday. The president expressed her dissatisfaction that Banerjee and other state officials did not adhere to the customary protocols during her visit.

During her trip to West Bengal, Murmu was there to participate in the ninth International Santal Conference, which had its venue changed. The event's organizers had initially preferred a field in Bidhannagar, but the local administration allegedly denied permission, leading to the event being held at Gosainpur near Bagdogra in Siliguri.

After the conference, Murmu visited Bidhannagar and interacted with residents without a dais, suggesting that the location would have been more appropriate for the conference.

Murmu also pointed out that when the president visits a state, it is customary for the chief minister and other ministers to be present. She noted Banerjee's absence during the event.

On the same day, Banerjee was reportedly engaged in a protest in Kolkata against the Election Commission’s intensive revision of the state’s electoral rolls.

In response to Murmu’s comments, Banerjee clarified that the conference was organized by the International Santal Council, which had invited the president.

She mentioned that after a security liaison meeting, the district administration had informed the President’s Secretariat that the organizers seemed unprepared for the event. This concern was also communicated via phone, she added.

Banerjee noted that the President’s Secretariat’s advance team visited the venue on March 5 and was made aware of the inadequate arrangements, yet the program proceeded as planned.

She emphasized that the president was received and seen off by the mayor of the Siliguri Municipal Corporation, the district magistrate of Darjeeling, and the police commissioner of the Siliguri Police Commissionerate, in line with the protocol established by the President’s Secretariat.

Banerjee insisted that she was not included in the approved lineup or dais plan for the event and maintained that there was no lapse in protocol by the district administration.

She accused the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) of disrespecting and exploiting the highest office in the country for political gain, calling it “most unfortunate.”

The political conflict intensified further on Sunday.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi criticized the Trinamool Congress government for disrespecting the president and the Constitution.

“This is not just an insult to the president but also to the Constitution and the great traditions of democracy,” Modi was quoted as saying in Delhi. “Anyone who values democracy and the empowerment of [Adivasi] communities should feel disheartened.”

On Sunday, Modi labeled the incident as “shameful and unprecedented.”

“The pain and anguish expressed by Rashtrapati Ji, who herself comes from a [Adivasi] community, has caused immense sadness among the people of India,” he added.

Meanwhile, the Union home ministry sought a report from the West Bengal government regarding the alleged breach of protocol, as reported by a local news outlet.

In a letter to West Bengal Chief Secretary Nandini Chakravorty, Union Home Secretary Govind Mohan requested a response by 5 pm on Sunday concerning alleged violations of the “Blue Book” rules during the president’s visit to the tribal event in north Bengal.

The Blue Book is a confidential document detailing security and protocol guidelines for the president, vice-president, prime minister, and their families.

A government official indicated that the Centre had requested clarification on the absence of the chief minister, chief secretary, and director general of police to receive the president, which is considered a “serious violation of the Blue Book rules.”

It remains unclear whether the state government has submitted its response.