Modi–Mamata Row Intensifies Over President Murmu’s Bengal Visit

India’s political debate has intensified after Prime Minister Narendra Modi accused the West Bengal government of showing disrespect to President Droupadi Murmu during her recent visit to the eastern state. The allegations have been strongly rejected by West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, who countered the criticism by questioning the accusations and sharing a photograph from a previous national ceremony.

The dispute began after President Droupadi Murmu attended an event connected to the Santhal tribal community in north Bengal. During the visit, the President raised concerns about arrangements at the programme, including the turnout and organisational issues. Her remarks later sparked a political confrontation between the central government and the ruling Trinamool Congress party in West Bengal.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi criticised the state administration while addressing a public gathering on International Women’s Day. He said the events surrounding the President’s visit amounted to a serious breach of respect toward the country’s highest constitutional office.

“Just yesterday, the government of West Bengal demonstrated a grave insult towards the honourable President of India,” Mr Modi said. He added that the episode represented “an insult to the Constitution and the democratic traditions of the country”.

According to the Prime Minister, the programme connected with the Santhal community should have been treated as a “sacred and important event”, particularly because President Murmu herself comes from a tribal background. He also alleged that the Trinamool Congress government had distanced itself from the gathering and that organisational lapses reflected poorly on the state administration.

Mr Modi further warned that what he described as the “arrogance of power” would eventually be rejected by voters.

President Raises Concerns Over Event Arrangements

The controversy traces back to remarks made by President Droupadi Murmu during her visit to the region near Bagdogra in northern West Bengal. The President questioned the decision to change the venue of the 9th International Santal Conference and expressed disappointment over the low attendance.

She also noted the absence of the state’s chief minister and other senior officials at the event. In India’s administrative protocol, senior state authorities typically welcome the President when she arrives in a state.

“Generally, when the President is coming, the Chief Minister should be welcoming her and other ministers should be present,” President Murmu said during the programme.

At the same time, the President struck a conciliatory tone when referring to the state leadership. She described Mamata Banerjee as “like a younger sister” and referred to herself as “a daughter of Bengal”, reflecting her personal connection to the region.

Banerjee Rejects Allegations

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee has firmly denied the accusation that her government insulted the President. She said the programme was not organised by the state administration and argued that responsibility for logistical arrangements lay with the private organisers and the agencies managing the venue.

The chief minister said the state government had not been consulted about the event’s planning or detailed schedule. She also noted that a representative of the state administration, Siliguri Mayor Gautam Deb, attended the programme.

Ms Banerjee further accused the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), the political party led by Mr Modi, of politicising the issue ahead of upcoming state elections.

In a public response, she displayed a photograph taken during a 2024 ceremony in which President Murmu conferred the Bharat Ratna, India’s highest civilian honour, on veteran BJP leader Lal Krishna Advani. In the image, the President is seen standing while Prime Minister Modi is seated beside the recipient.

“This is for you, especially for the Prime Minister,” Ms Banerjee said while referring to the photograph. She insisted that her government respects the office of the President and the Constitution.

“We have full respect for the chair of the President and the Constitution of India, which we consider our mother. Do not blame us,” she said.

The chief minister also questioned why, in her view, the President had not spoken out about alleged issues affecting tribal communities in other parts of India.

Centre Seeks Report on Protocol Issues

As the dispute intensified, the central government sought an official explanation from the West Bengal administration regarding possible violations of established protocol.

India’s Union Home Secretary Govind Mohan wrote to the state’s chief secretary requesting a detailed report on the arrangements during the President’s visit. The communication referred to the “Blue Book”, a confidential document that outlines security and protocol procedures for visits by the President, Vice-President and Prime Minister.

Officials asked the state government to clarify why the chief minister, the chief secretary and the director general of police were reportedly not present at the airport when President Murmu arrived.

The letter also requested explanations regarding alleged problems at the venue, including concerns about sanitation facilities and the condition of the route used by the President’s motorcade.

Political Reactions Across India

The controversy has drawn reactions from political leaders in several Indian states. Vice President C. P. Radhakrishnan described the reported lapses as “unfortunate” and emphasised the need to maintain the dignity of the country’s highest constitutional offices.

Chief ministers from other states, including Andhra Pradesh and Odisha, also expressed concern about the alleged breach of protocol.

Leaders of the Trinamool Congress, however, defended the West Bengal government and accused the Prime Minister of turning the issue into a political attack.

West Bengal minister Shashi Panja said the chief minister had already clarified the circumstances of the event and criticised what she described as attempts to politicise the President’s visit.

Wider Political Context

The dispute comes at a sensitive political moment in West Bengal, where assembly elections are approaching and political parties are intensifying outreach to tribal communities.

The Santhal community, one of India’s largest indigenous tribal groups, has a significant presence in parts of northern West Bengal and the Jangalmahal region in the state’s western districts.

Both the Bharatiya Janata Party and the Trinamool Congress have sought to strengthen their support among tribal voters in recent years.

The controversy surrounding President Murmu’s visit has therefore become part of a broader political contest, with both sides accusing the other of disrespecting democratic institutions and attempting to gain advantage ahead of the elections.