A fresh confrontation between the Centre and the West Bengal government has emerged following allegations of a protocol breach during the recent visit of President Droupadi Murmu to North Bengal. The Union Ministry of Home Affairs has sought the services of Siliguri Police Commissioner C Sudhakar and Darjeeling District Magistrate Manish Mishra on deputation, intensifying the political dispute between the two administrations.
According to sources in the West Bengal Secretariat, Nabanna, the office of Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) under Amit Shah has already sought the state government’s opinion on the matter. The move comes in the wake of controversy surrounding the President’s official engagement in North Bengal. The controversy began during Murmu’s visit last Saturday to attend the International Santhal Conference in North Bengal. During her address, the President expressed dissatisfaction with the administrative arrangements and the last-minute change of venue.
“I do not know what was going through the administration’s mind. I arrived here quite easily. They had claimed there was not enough space to host the event. Yet, this venue is supposed to accommodate 500,000 people,” she said.
Addressing West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, the President added that she rarely gets the opportunity to visit the state.
“I, too, am a daughter of Bengal. Yet I am rarely allowed to visit Bengal. Mamata di is my younger sister. I do not know what grievance she holds against me. Regardless, I have no complaints. I harbour no resentment. May she remain well, and may you all remain well,” Murmu remarked.
The President also raised concerns about whether tribal communities in the state were receiving the full benefits of government welfare schemes.
"From what I can see, it does not appear that the Santhal community—or the tribal community in general—is receiving government benefits. We harbour doubts as to whether they are receiving the full spectrum of government entitlements,” she said.
Mamata responded sharply to the President’s remarks while addressing a protest gathering in Kolkata’s Esplanade.
“I am sorry, Madam. I apologise. I hold you in high esteem. However, you have fallen into the trap of the BJP’s political agenda,” Banerjee said.
Later, in a social media statement, Mamata clarified that the International Santhal Conference had been organised by the International Santhal Council, a non-governmental organisation, and not by the state government.
She further stated that the district administration had maintained coordination with the President’s Secretariat regarding the itinerary. According to her, the Secretariat had been informed two days earlier that adequate preparations were lacking, yet the schedule remained unchanged.
Mamata also pointed out that several senior officials, including the Siliguri Mayor and the Darjeeling District Magistrate, were present to receive the President, insisting that no protocol violation had occurred.
“Most unfortunately, the BJP is utilising even the country’s highest office to serve its own partisan agenda,” she wrote.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi also reacted to the issue, describing the alleged insult to the President as 'shameful and unprecedented'.
“All those who believe in democracy and the empowerment of tribal communities are deeply distressed. The anguish and concern expressed by the Honorable President—who hails from a tribal community — have caused profound sorrow in the hearts of the people of India,” PM Modi said in a social media post.
In the aftermath of the controversy, the MHA has sought to place the two senior bureaucrats responsible for the President’s visit on central deputation.
Sources in Nabanna confirmed that the Centre had already sought the state government’s views on the matter. However, it remains uncertain whether the West Bengal government will release the officials, particularly with elections approaching in the state.
Also read: Mamata rejects ‘disrespect’ claim over President’s visit
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