Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday criticised the Mamata Banerjee-led Trinamool Congress (TMC) government in West Bengal for alleged protocol lapses during President Droupadi Murmu’s visit and for abruptly
changing the venue for the International Santal Conference, scheduled to take place in Bidhannagar.
His remarks came after President Murmu, in a rare move, openly expressed displeasure with the West Bengal government for allegedly denying permission for the International Santal Conclave in North Bengal. She also said neither Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee nor any of her ministers received her during his visit, as protocol dictated.
Taking to X, PM Modi called the incident “shameful and unprecedented”, while criticising the TMC government for the casual treatment of the Santal community. He also asserted that the President’s office was above politics and should be respected.
“This is shameful and unprecedented. Everyone who believes in democracy and the empowerment of tribal communities is disheartened. The pain and anguish expressed by Rashtrapati Ji, who herself hails from a tribal community, has caused immense sadness in the minds of the people of India,” he said.
This is shameful and unprecedented. Everyone who believes in democracy and the empowerment of tribal communities is disheartened.
The pain and anguish expressed by Rashtrapati Ji, who herself hails from a tribal community, has caused immense sadness in the minds of the people… https://t.co/XGzwMCMFrT
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) March 7, 2026
“The TMC Government of West Bengal has truly crossed all limits. Their administration is responsible for this insult to the President. It is equally unfortunate that a subject as important as Santal culture is treated so casually by the West Bengal Government,” he added.
The angst expressed by respected @rashtrapatibhvn is rare and full of deep pain. It is unprecedented. Every protocol detail, arrangements becoming of her constitutional position are to be provided. This violation tantamounts to a brazen abuse of the highest office in India. pic.twitter.com/38uYXO1TQD
— Nirmala Sitharaman (@nsitharaman) March 7, 2026
ALSO READ: In Rare Rebuke, President Murmu Flags Protocol Lapse In Bengal, Says No Grudges with ‘Sister’ Mamata
What Happened During Murmu’s Visit?
The 9th International Santhali Conclave was initially supposed to take place in Bidhannagar. However, Murmu alleged that West Bengal authorities changed the venue to a smaller one in Goshaipur near Bagdogra Airport, citing congestion. Organisers also complained about improper stage arrangements and poor toilet facilities.
Murmu later travelled to Bidhannagar in the Phansidewa area, a region with a significant Adivasi population, and said that all Santals will not be able to go to the second venue. “Perhaps the administration thought that no one would be able to go there. They thought that the President would arrive, hold the event in an empty place, and return. I don’t know what came to their minds, but I am very hurt,” she added.
President Murmu also flagged protocol lapses by the Bengal government, saying that neither the Chief Minister nor the state ministers came to receive her at the airport. Only Siliguri Mayor Gautam Deb had arrived at the airport to welcome the President.
“I am also a daughter of Bengal. Yet I am not allowed to come here. Mamata ‘Didi’ is like my younger sister. I don’t know, maybe she is angry with me for some reason. Anyway, I have no complaints with her. May she also stay well, and may all of you stay well,” she said.
The BJP called the events as a “complete collapse of the constitutional framework” under the Trinamool Congress. “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. This is not merely discourtesy. It is institutional disrespect and another reminder of how governance in Bengal has descended into chaos,” said BJP leader Amit Malviya.
