President Murmu’s Visit to North Bengal and the Protocol Debate

KalimNews, March 8, 2026, Kolkata: The Government of West Bengal has responded to allegations that protocol was violated and that President Droupadi Murmu was disrespected during her recent visit to North Bengal. In its communication to the President’s Secretariat, the state government clarified that the Hon’ble President had been invited by the International Santal Council, a private organisation, to attend the 9th International Adivasi Santal Conference held in Siliguri.

According to the state administration, the district authorities had raised concerns about the preparedness of the event organisers well before the programme. After the Advanced Security Liaison process, the district administration formally informed the President’s Secretariat in writing that the organisers appeared inadequately prepared to host such a high-profile event. The same concerns were also conveyed telephonically. 

Subsequently, an advance team from the President’s Secretariat visited the venue on 05.03.2026. During that visit, officials were apprised of the apparent lack of adequate arrangements; however, the programme continued as scheduled.

The West Bengal government maintained that all official procedures were followed during the President’s visit. The Hon’ble President was received and seen off strictly according to the approved lineup shared by the President’s Secretariat. The reception was conducted by the Mayor of the Siliguri Municipal Corporation, the District Magistrate of Darjeeling, and the Commissioner of the Siliguri Police Commissionerate.

The state government emphasised that the Chief Minister of West Bengal was not included in the official reception lineup or the dais plan prepared by the President’s Secretariat. Therefore, according to the administration, no protocol lapse occurred on the part of the district authorities.

At the same time, the state leadership strongly criticised the Bharatiya Janata Party, alleging that the party was politicising the issue. The state government stated that the BJP was “disrespecting and misusing the highest chair in the country for its own party agenda,” calling the situation “most unfortunate.”

Meanwhile, statements from the Prime Minister’s Office and other central authorities expressed concern over the incident. PIB reported that In a post on the social media platform X (formerly Twitter) the Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi, strongly condemned the incident involving disrespect towards Rashtrapati Ji and the casual treatment of Santal culture by the Government of West Bengal.

The Prime Minister said that the development was shameful and unprecedented and that everyone who believes in democracy and the empowerment of tribal communities is deeply disheartened by the incident.

The Prime Minister said that 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.

Shri Modi stated that the TMC Government of West Bengal has crossed all limits and that their administration is responsible for this insult to the President.

The Prime Minister further said that it is equally unfortunate that a subject as important as Santal culture is being treated so casually by the West Bengal Government.

Emphasising that the office of the President is above politics, the Prime Minister said that the sanctity of this office should always be respected. He expressed hope that better sense will prevail among the West Bengal Government and the TMC

These remarks intensified the political debate surrounding the President’s visit.

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee broke her silence on Saturday regarding the alleged protocol breach during the visit of President Droupadi Murmu to Siliguri. Rejecting the allegations, Banerjee accused the BJP of politicising the issue.

In a post on the social media platform X, Banerjee stated that the President had been received and seen off strictly according to the lineup approved by the President’s Secretariat. She reiterated that she was neither part of the official reception lineup nor included in the dais plan for the event.

The Trinamool Congress chief also criticised the BJP, alleging that the party was “misusing and disrespecting the highest chair in the country” for its political agenda.

In her post, Banerjee wrote: "After Advanced Security Liaison, district administration flagged in writing to the President’s Secretariat that the organiser appeared inadequately prepared; the concern was also conveyed telephonically (For relevant letters and photographs, see my related facebook post). The President’s Secretariat advance team visited on 05.03.26, was apprised of the lack of arrangements, yet the programme continued as scheduled."

She cited these points while explaining the circumstances surrounding the selection and later change of venue for President Murmu’s event.

It is reminded that while addressing the gathering at the conference, President Murmu expressed disappointment regarding the choice of venue. She suggested that the conference could have been organised at a larger location where more members of the Santal community would have been able to participate.

The President remarked that the area she later visited appeared spacious enough to accommodate a gathering of up to five lakh people. She questioned why a relatively congested venue had been selected when a larger location could have allowed greater participation by members of the Santal community.

President Murmu also said she felt saddened that many people who wished to attend the conference were unable to reach the venue because it had been organised far away from their areas.

In a comment that drew attention, she noted that when the President visits a place, the Chief Minister and ministers usually attend official events. However, this did not happen during the programme.

“I am also a daughter of Bengal… Mamata Didi is also my sister, my younger sister. I don’t know if she was angry with me, that’s why this happened,” she said, referring to West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee.

Following the President’s visit, Govind Mohan, Union Home Secretary of India, sought a detailed report from the West Bengal Chief Secretary. The report was requested by 5 p.m. regarding alleged lapses in the prescribed protocol for receiving President Murmu, the change of venue of the International Santal Conference in Darjeeling district, and other related arrangements.

President Droupadi Murmu had arrived at Gosaipur in Bagdogra near Siliguri on Saturday to attend the Ninth International Santhal Conference. The conference gained special importance due to the presence of the President. Tribal delegates from across India and abroad participated in the international gathering held in Gosaipur. The primary objective of the conference was to discuss the culture, traditions, and protection of the rights of tribal communities.

Among the notable attendees was Raju Bista, Member of Parliament from Darjeeling representing the Bharatiya Janata Party. Security arrangements were significantly strengthened throughout the area in view of the President’s visit.

MP Raju Bista welcomed the President’s presence and described it as a proud moment for the tribal communities of the hills and the Terai region. He stated that the President’s visit was a great achievement for the tribal people of North Bengal and expressed hope that it would accelerate development and empowerment initiatives for tribal communities in the region.

The event highlighted both the significance of tribal representation at the highest constitutional level and the continuing debate around administrative arrangements and political interpretation surrounding high-profile visits before the Assembly election.