NEW DELHI: A political row has erupted over the recent International Santhal Conclave in West Bengal after the state government changed the venue for the event at the last minute. The controversy intensified after President Droupadi Murmu, who was scheduled to attend the event, publicly expressed displeasure over the decision and also noted the absence of chief minister Mamata Banerjee and other ministers during her visit.President Murmu said authorities informed her that the venue was shifted because the original location was congested. However, she questioned the reasoning, saying the new venue made it difficult for members of the Santhal community to attend the gathering.
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Later, Murmu visited the original venue and challenged the claim made by authorities. “When I came here I found the field was big enough to accommodate 5 lakh people,” she said, adding that she felt very sad about the last-minute change in location.Addressing the International Santhal Council, the president also suggested that attempts were being made to prevent the community from progressing. “Someone doesn’t want Santhal to get united, to progress, to get educated…someone doesn’t want Santhal to become strong. However, I know Santhals have scarifised their lives for the nation.”Murmu, who herself belongs to the Santhal community, also said that the community’s contribution to India’s freedom struggle has not received proper recognition. “I know how much the Santals have contributed to the country’s freedom struggle. But the names of Santal legends have not deliberately been included in history,” she said, while stressing the need for education for Santhal children.The issue quickly escalated into a political confrontation between the ruling Trinamool Congress in West Bengal and the BJP-led central leadership.
‘BJP using President to malign Bengal’: Mamata
Chief minister Mamata Banerjee questioned Murmu’s concern for tribal issues and accused the BJP of politicising the matter. “Why don’t you protest when atrocities are committed against tribals. Why don’t you protest when it happens in Madhya Pradesh or Chhattisgarh?… First do something for them, then say anything,” Banerjee said.“Don’t play politics at the time of the election, as per the BJP’s advice,” she added, further alleging that the BJP was using the president to target the state government. “BJP has stooped so low that it is using President Droupadi Murmu to malign West Bengal,” Banerjee said.The controversy also drew sharp reactions from several BJP leaders, including Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
‘Shameful and unprecedented’: PM Modi
PM Modi criticised the West Bengal government, calling the episode “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. The TMC Government of West Bengal has truly crossed all limits. Their administration is responsible for this insult to the President,” he said in a post on X.“It is equally unfortunate that a subject as important as Santhal culture is treated so casually by the West Bengal Government. The office of the President is above politics and the sanctity of this office should always be respected. One hopes better sense prevails among the West Bengal Government and TMC,” he added.
‘New lows in TMC’s anarchic conduct’: Amit Shah
Union home minister Amit Shah also attacked the Mamata government over the incident. “The Trinamool government of West Bengal has sunk to new lows today through their anarchic conduct. By showing utter disregard for protocol, they have insulted the President of India. This incident has laid bare the deep rot within the Trinamool government.”He added, “A government that tramples on citizens’ constitutional rights at will does not hesitate to dishonour the nation’s highest constitutional office—the President. This affront to the President at an event organised by our tribal brothers and sisters is an insult to our nation and the values of our constitutional democracy. Every citizen who believes in democracy today is deeply hurt and anguished.”
‘Raises questions about conduct’: Dharmendra Pradhan
Union education minister Dharmendra Pradhan also criticised the arrangements made during the president’s visit. “When the President is compelled to express disappointment over the arrangements made, it raises serious questions about the conduct and preparedness of the authorities responsible. The sanctity of constitutional offices must remain above politics,” he said.Odisha chief minister Mohan Charan Majhi also condemned the developments, saying they had hurt the sentiments of the tribal community. “Such actions raise serious concerns and convey an unfortunate message when an event, where the Hon’ble President herself was to grace the occasion as the Chief Guest, is subjected to such disruptions,” he said.Calling the episode insensitive, Majhi added: “As a member of the Santal community, this hurtful action of the TMC govt of West Bengal also created a deeper sense of anguish and hurt within me, and the entire Odia populace.”The controversy has now turned into a broader political battle between the BJP and the Trinamool Congress, with both sides accusing each other of politicising the issue involving tribal communities and the office of the President. Go to Source
