West Bengal, March 2026 — A major political controversy has erupted between the Rashtrapati Bhavan and the West Bengal government following President Droupadi Murmu’s visit to Darjeeling for the 9th International Santhal Conference. The President expressed rare public disappointment over a last-minute venue change and a perceived breach of constitutional protocol, drawing sharp reactions from Prime Minister Narendra Modi and senior Union Ministers.

The Santhal Conference: A Symbolic Event Disrupted

The conference was organized to celebrate the culture and history of the Santhal community, one of India’s largest tribal groups. For President Murmu, the first tribal woman to hold the office and a member of the Santhal tribe herself, the event held immense personal and symbolic significance.

Originally planned for a large open ground in Vidhannagar, Siliguri, the venue was abruptly shifted by state authorities to a much smaller site in Gosainpur, near Bagdogra. The state cited security and traffic concerns for the move, but the impact was immediate: thousands of tribal participants were unable to access the new, congested location, leading to a significantly thinned attendance.

“Sadness” Over the Missing Thousands

In an unprecedented move, the President visited both the new and original venues to assess the situation herself. She noted that the original site could have accommodated up to 5 lakh people, whereas many Santhals could not reach the substituted location.

“I don’t know what went through the administrators’ minds,” the President remarked, expressing sadness that the community members were deprived of the opportunity to participate in a conference dedicated to their own identity.

A Constitutional Protocol Lapse?

Beyond the venue, the controversy centers on the “Head of State” protocol. According to MHA guidelines, the Governor and Chief Minister typically receive the President upon arrival in a state. Reports indicated that Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee was absent from the event, and no senior state minister was present to receive the President at the venue.

President Murmu noted that while she views Mamata Banerjee as a “younger sister,” the dignity of the President’s office must be maintained through established protocols.

The Political Aftermath

The incident has triggered a firestorm of criticism from the Center:

• PM Modi: Termed the incident “shameful and unprecedented,” accusing the TMC government of insulting the tribal community.
• Amit Shah: Stated the state government hit a “new low” by disregarding the President’s protocol.
• Mamata’s Response: The Chief Minister rejected the allegations, clarifying that the event was organized by a private body and that district officials followed the line-up provided by the President’s Secretariat. She accused the BJP of politicizing a security-based administrative decision.

Bottom Line

The era of cooperative federalism faces another test as the highest office in the land becomes a flashpoint for state-center friction. While the West Bengal government maintains the changes were purely logistical, the sight of the President of India flagging an administrative “insult” highlights a growing trust deficit in the country’s political corridors.