A major political controversy erupted in West Bengal on Saturday (March 7, 2026) after President Droupadi Murmu expressed disappointment with the State government for changing the venue of the International Santal Conference in Darjeeling district and not adhering to the desired protocol to receive her at the event.

The State government had changed the venue of the conference, where the President was participating from Bidhannagar under Phansidewa block in Darjeeling district to Gossainpur in Bagdogra area located on the outskirts of Siliguri in the same district.

After attending the conference at Gossainpur, President Murmu travelled about 30 kilometres to Bidhannagar and expressed her anguish over the change of venue and absence of Ministers of the State government to receive her.

“They (government) had said this place (Bidhannagar) is congested you will not be able to go. But I think five lakh people could gather here easily. But I don’t know why they took us there… I don’t know what went through the administration’s mind that they chose a place for the conference where the Santal people could not go… I am very sad that the people here were unable to reach the conference because it was held so far away,” Ms. Murmu said.

The remarks by the President evoked strong reactions from leaders in constitutional positions.

Vice-President C.P. Radhakrishnan criticised the State government over the treatment. “The office of the Hon’ble President is the highest constitutional office of our Republic and must always receive the dignity, protocol and respect it deserves,” he said.

“Any lapse in arrangements befitting her constitutional position that happened in West Bengal today is unfortunate. The sanctity of the office of the Hon’ble President must always be maintained and due respect accorded to the highest office of the nation,” he added.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi described the development as “shameful and unprecedented”. In a social media post on X, Mr. Modi said that the Trinamool Congress government in West Bengal has crossed all limits and their administration is responsible for this insult to the President. He said that the “anguish and concern expressed by the President, who has risen from the tribal community itself, have instilled profound sorrow in the hearts of the people of India”.

President above politics: PM

“It is also extremely unfortunate that the West Bengal government is treating such an important matter as Santhal culture so lightly. The office of the President is above politics, and the dignity of this office should always be upheld. It is hoped that the West Bengal government and the Trinamool Congress will come to their senses,” Mr. Modi said.

Several BJP leaders as well as Ministers of the Union Cabinet criticised the West Bengal government over the developments.

“The TMC government in West Bengal today hit a new low in its anarchic behaviour by humiliating the President of India with its glaring disregard for protocol,” Union Home Minister Amit Shah said.

“The disrespect for the highest constitutional post of India that too at a programme organised by our tribal sisters and brothers is an insult to our nation and the very values that define our constitutional democracy. Today, every citizen who believes in democracy stands deeply hurt and anguished,” Mr. Shah added.

President Murmu, while addressing the gathering in Darjeeling, described West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee as her “younger sister” and wondered if she was angry with her. “If the President visits a place, the Chief Minister and the Ministers should also come. But she did not… I am also a daughter of Bengal. Mamata didi (sister) is like my younger sister. I do not know why she is angry with me but I wish her well,” Ms. Murmu said.

Not aware: Mamata

Commenting on the row, Ms. Banerjee said she was not aware of the President’s event in Darjeeling. “I do not know who was organising the programme, who was attending the programme, who was funding the programme,” she said, adding that she was on a dharna in Kolkata over the past two days. The Chief Minister is on a sit-in demonstration in Kolkata since Friday against deletions of names of electors in the special intensive revision (SIR).

“We respect you. You represent the number one chair in the country… Do not play politics at the time of elections as per the advice of the BJP,” Ms. Banerjee said in response to the President.

Expressing displeasure over Ms. Murmu’s remarks that West Bengal has not done enough for the tribals, the Trinamool Congress chairperson said that the President had kept quiet when there were atrocities were committed on tribals in several States of the country, including Manipur.

The Chief Minister reiterated that she has high regards for the President but she should not make remarks that does not suit her high office. Ms. Banerjee told her party leaders to seek an appointment from the President and submit details of what her government has done for tribals in the State.

International Santal Council, a private organisation, invited Hon’ble President to the 9th International Adivasi Santal Conference in Siliguri.

After Advanced Security Liaison, district administration flagged in writing to the President’s Secretariat that the organiser appeared…

— Mamata Banerjee (@MamataOfficial) March 7, 2026

‘No protocol breached’

Later in the day, Ms. Banerjee took to social media and claimed that there was no breach of protocol by the State administration.

“Hon’ble President was received and seen off by Mayor Siliguri Municipal Corporation, DM Darjeeling and CP Siliguri Police Commissionerate strictly as per the approved lineup shared by the President’s Secretariat. CM, West Bengal was not part of the lineup or the dais plan. No protocol lapse happened on part of district administration,” Ms. Banerjee posted on social media.

The Chief Minister claimed that BJP was “disrespecting and misusing the highest chair in the country for its own party agenda”.

Ms. Banerjee also added that International Santal Council, a private organisation, invited the President to the 9th International Adivasi Santal Conference in Siliguri. She added that after advanced security liaison, the district administration flagged in writing to the President’s Secretariat that the organiser appeared inadequately prepared and the concern was also conveyed telephonically.

Published – March 07, 2026 06:10 pm IST