New Delhi: A political row broke out at the recent International Santal Conclave in West Bengal after the West Bengal government changed the venue of the event at the last minute. Controversy has intensified since the president took office Draupadi MurmuThose scheduled to attend the event publicly expressed their displeasure with the decision, noting the chief minister’s absence Mamata Banerjee and other ministers during their visit.President Murmu said authorities informed her that the venue had been moved due to crowding at the original location. However, she disputed this rationale, saying the new venue made it difficult for members of the Santal community to attend the gathering.Murmu later visited the original site and questioned the authorities’ account. “When I came here I saw that the venue was big enough to hold half a million people,” she said, adding that she was very sad about the last-minute change of venue.The President, while addressing the International Santal Council, also said there are attempts to prevent the progress of the community. “There are people who don’t want Santals to unite, progress, get education… There are people who don’t want Santals to become strong. However, I know that Santals sacrificed their lives for the country.”Murmu, who herself belongs to the Santal community, also said that the community’s contribution to India’s freedom struggle has not yet received due recognition. “I know how much the Santals contributed to the country’s freedom struggle. But the names of Santal legends are not deliberately enshrined in history,” she said while stressing the need for education of Santal children.The issue quickly escalated into a political confrontation between the ruling parties Trinamool Congress West Bengal and the BJP-led central leadership.
‘bjp Using president to defame Bengal’: Mamata
Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee questioned Murmu’s focus on tribal issues and accused the BJP of politicizing the matter. “When atrocities happen against tribals, why don’t you protest. When such atrocities happen in Madhya Pradesh or Chhattisgarh, why don’t you protest?… First do something for them and then say something,” Banerjee said.“As per the advice of the BJP, do not play politics during elections,” she added, further accusing the BJP of using the president to target the state government. “The BJP has stooped to the extent of using President Drupadi Murmu to malign West Bengal,” Banerjee said.The controversy also drew strong reactions from several BJP leaders, including the Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
PM Modi: ‘Shameful and unprecedented’
Prime Minister Narendra Modi criticized the West Bengal government, calling the incident “shameful and unprecedented”. “All those who believe in democracy and empowerment of tribal communities are dismayed. The pain and anguish expressed by Rashtrapati Ji from the tribal community has created immense sadness in the hearts of the people of India. The TMC government in West Bengal has indeed crossed all boundaries. Their government is responsible for this insult to the President,” he said in a post on X.“It is also unfortunate that a subject as important as Santal culture is treated so casually by the West Bengal government. The office of the Presidency is above politics, and the sanctity of this office should always be respected. One hopes that the West Bengal government and TMC will have a better understanding. ” he added.
“TMC’s anarchic behavior reaches new low”: Amit Shah
Union Home Minister Amit Shah also attacked the Mamata government over the incident. “The Trinamool government in West Bengal has hit a new low today with their anarchic act. They have completely ignored etiquette and insulted the President of India. The incident exposed deep corruption within the Trinamool government. “He added, “A government that casually tramples on the constitutional rights of its citizens will not hesitate to humiliate the nation’s highest constitutional office, the President. The insult to the President at an event organized by our tribal brothers and sisters is an affront to the values of our country and our constitutional democracy. Every citizen who believes in democracy is deeply hurt and pained today.”
“Ask questions about behavior”: Dharmendra Pradhan
Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan also criticized the arrangements during the President’s visit. “When the president is forced to express his dismay at the arrangements that have been made, it raises serious questions about the conduct and preparedness of the responsible authorities. The sanctity of the constitutional office must take precedence over politics,” he said.Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi also condemned the development, saying it had hurt the sentiments of the tribal community. “When an event where the president himself is the chief guest is so disrupted, such behavior raises serious concerns and sends an unfortunate message,” he said.Calling the incident insensitive, Majhi added: “As a member of the Santal community, this hurtful act of the TMC government in West Bengal has also caused deeper pain and hurt to me and the people of Odia at large.”The dispute has now turned into a wider political battle between the Bharatiya Janata Party and the Trinamool Congress, with both sides accusing the other of politicizing issues involving tribal communities and the office of the president.
