President Murmu Critiques West Bengal Government Over Venue Controversy
Presidential Visit Sparks Controversy in West Bengal
On Saturday, President Droupadi Murmu expressed her dissatisfaction with the Trinamool Congress government in West Bengal, criticizing the choice of a smaller venue for an event she attended in Darjeeling district.
She voiced her concerns regarding Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee and other state officials for not adhering to the expected protocols during a presidential visit.
Murmu was in the state to take part in the ninth International Santal Conference, which reportedly had its venue changed at the last minute.
According to reports, the event's organizers had initially selected a field in Bidhannagar, but permission was allegedly denied, leading to the conference being held at Gosainpur near Bagdogra in Siliguri.
During her address at the conference, Murmu remarked, “I noticed many Santals outside. It seems someone is preventing them from entering. I wondered, is this truly an international conference? Some may not want the Santal community to unite and be strong.”
After the conference, she visited Bidhannagar and interacted with locals without a podium, stating that the Bidhannagar venue would have been more appropriate for the gathering.
“I’m unsure what the administration was thinking,” Murmu commented. “They claimed this location was congested. I believe five lakh people could have gathered here. I don’t understand why they chose that other place. Many of our brothers and sisters from here couldn’t attend.”
“I don’t know what the administration was thinking when they selected a location where the Santal community couldn’t go,” she added during her visit to Bidhannagar.
“Perhaps they hoped that no one would show up, and I would simply leave,” Murmu alleged.
She emphasized that when the president visits, it is customary for the chief minister and state ministers to be present, noting Banerjee's absence.
“Mamata didi is like my younger sister,” Murmu stated. “Maybe she is upset with me, which is why the program was arranged there… But I wish her well.”
On the same day, Banerjee was reportedly leading a protest in Kolkata against the Election Commission’s intensive revision of the state’s electoral rolls.
In response to Murmu’s remarks, Banerjee questioned whether the president was aware of how many names had been removed from the voter list in Bengal.
Banerjee further stated that the Bharatiya Janata Party has never considered the interests of minorities.
“You didn’t mention anything about the Scheduled Castes, Buddhists, Punjabis, Parsis, Jains, or even Hindus,” she remarked. “You know how to engage in politics; we do not.”
The chief minister indicated that she would instruct her party leaders to request an appointment with the president to present a list of the Trinamool Congress government's achievements for the Adivasi community.
#WATCH | Darjeeling, West Bengal | President Droupadi Murmu says, "Today was the International Santal Conference. When I came here after attending it, I realised it would have been better if it had been held here, because the area is so vast... I don't know what went through the… pic.twitter.com/zMYyvDo0Y2
— Media Channel (@MediaChannel) March 7, 2026
Opposition Responds to President's Remarks
BJP leader Amit Malviya characterized the president’s comments as “rare and unprecedented,” suggesting that they indicate a “complete collapse of the constitutional framework under the Mamata Banerjee government.”
Malviya, who oversees the party's operations in the state, expressed shock that the state government allegedly denied permission for a conference where the president was the chief guest.
“When a state government begins to disregard the dignity of the office of the president of India, it reflects not just administrative failure but a breakdown of constitutional propriety and governance,” he stated on social media.
He described the incident as “not merely discourtesy” but as “institutional disrespect and another reminder of how governance in Bengal has descended into chaos.”
Prime Minister Narendra Modi labeled the incident as “shameful and unprecedented,” asserting that the TMC government has crossed all boundaries.
“Their administration is responsible for this insult to the president,” Modi remarked, adding that the distress expressed by the president “has caused immense sadness” among the populace.
He accused the state government of treating Santal culture with “casual disregard.”
Modi emphasized that the office of the president transcends politics and should always be respected.
The events in West Bengal today point to a complete collapse of the constitutional framework under the Mamata Banerjee government.
— Amit Malviya (@amitmalviya) March 7, 2026
In a rare and unprecedented development, the Hon’ble President of India, Smt Droupadi Murmu, openly expressed displeasure over the lack of… pic.twitter.com/ZMiRwZkVbJ
In response, Trinamool Congress spokesperson Arup Chakraborty stated that the “situation was created” due to the Election Commission.
“Our chief minister is currently advocating for the rights of the people,” he remarked. “We believe our president is a very good person and she would understand Mamata Banerjee's constraints.”
West Bengal is anticipated to hold Assembly elections in April or May.