The West Bengal government on Saturday evening has sent a detailed report to the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) addressing allegations of protocol violations and change of the venue during the recent visit of President Droupadi Murmu to North Bengal’s Siliguri for the International Tribal and Santal Conference.
According to administrative sources, the report was submitted by the state’s Chief Secretary, Nandini Chakraborty, to Union Home Secretary Govind Mohan within the deadline set by the Centre.
Officials at Nabanna, the state secretariat, said the report provides a detailed explanation of every administrative step taken by the state government regarding the President’s visit. The report reportedly clarifies why Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee was not present at the event and explains the circumstances surrounding the change of venue for the International Tribal and Santal Conference.
According to the state government, all arrangements related to the President’s visit were carried out strictly in accordance with established administrative protocols. The report submitted to the Centre includes supporting documents detailing the coordination between the district administration and the President’s Secretariat.
The controversy began after President Murmu, while addressing the conference in Siliguri on Saturday, expressed disappointment over the absence of the Chief Minister and other ministers at the event. Her remarks triggered a political debate, prompting the MHA under Amit Shah to seek an urgent explanation from the state government.
Responding to the President’s remarks earlier, Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee accused the BJP of politicising the issue. Speaking from a protest stage in Kolkata, she said the Constitution was being undermined and claimed the President was being used to advance a political agenda.
The issue further escalated after Narendra Modi criticised the state government on social media, accusing the Trinamool Congress administration of disrespecting the President and showing disregard for Santal culture.
In response, Mamata released administrative documents on Sunday explaining the sequence of events. She stated that the International Santal Council, a non-governmental organisation, had invited the President to the conference. According to the Chief Minister, the district administration had earlier informed the President’s Secretariat about inadequate preparations at the original venue through written communication and phone calls.
Mamata also said officials from the President’s Secretariat visited the venue on March 5 and were informed about the situation, but the programme went ahead as scheduled.
Clarifying the protocol issue, the Chief Minister said that upon the President’s arrival in Siliguri, the city’s mayor, the Darjeeling district magistrate, and the Siliguri police commissioner were present to receive her as per protocol. She maintained that there had been no plan for the Chief Minister to attend or share the stage at the event, and therefore no protocol violation had occurred.
Also read: Mamata rejects ‘disrespect’ claim over President’s visit
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