TMC in the dock: President humiliated, Centre issues ultimatum
What began as a presidential visit to a tribal gathering in north Bengal on Saturday ended as one of India's most jarring constitutional standoffs in recent memory. President Droupadi Murmu arrived at a half-empty venue , received by only a city mayor, with her route strewn with garbage and no water in her washroom , all while Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee staged a protest in Kolkata.
Murmu had been invited to the annual Santal community programme, originally scheduled at Bidhannagar in Siliguri. The state administration shifted it to Goshaipur near Bagdogra airport citing security reasons, a venue far harder to reach. Only Siliguri Mayor Gautam Deb was present to receive her, a serious violation of the 'Blue Book' protocol that requires the Chief Minister or a Cabinet minister to be present. The state also denied permission for the International Santhali Conclave where Murmu was the chief guest. Calling Banerjee her "younger sister" and herself "a daughter of Bengal," the President publicly wondered whether the CM was "upset," and said the venue change suggested the state "does not want the welfare of tribals."
Banerjee fired back sharply, accusing Murmu of speaking "on BJP's advice" and questioning her silence on atrocities against tribals in BJP-governed Manipur, Chhattisgarh, and Madhya Pradesh. "Why is Bengal being singled out?" she demanded. She denied knowledge of the event, claimed it was not state-organised, and defended her absence citing her dharna over the Special Intensive Revision of electoral rolls , which she says deleted thousands of Santali-speaking voters in Bardhaman and beyond. She countered with her government's tribal welfare record, Ol Chiki script recognition, Santali in WBCS examinations, and holidays declared for Birsa Munda.
The Centre issued a letter to the West Bengal Chief Secretary demanding answers by 5 pm Sunday on Blue Book violations, naming the DM of Darjeeling, Commissioner of Police Siliguri, and the ADM as directly responsible . Home Minister Amit Shah called it "a new low in anarchic behaviour" , adding that the TMC government "does not spare even the President of India from its tyranny." PM Modi termed it "shameful and unprecedented" , saying TMC had "truly crossed all limits." BJP national spokesperson Pradeep Bhandari raised the conduct as a serious question of respect for constitutional institutions , also recalling that TMC leader Akhil Giri had previously made derogatory remarks about President Murmu. Fellow spokesperson Shehzad Poonwalla called it "extremely shocking and shameful", saying "never ever has such a thing been seen." BJP co-incharge Amit Malviya described it as a "complete collapse of constitutional framework" under Banerjee.
The condemnation was not limited to the BJP. Vice President C P Radhakrishnan called the lapses "unfortunate", stressing the high constitutional office must always receive the dignity it deserves. Assam CM Himanta Biswa Sarma alleged the insult was "intentional" and called it the "worst manifestation of TMC's divisive politics." Andhra Pradesh CM N Chandrababu Naidu emphasised the necessity of upholding the dignity of the country's highest constitutional office. Odisha CM Mohan Charan Majhi said the incident had "deeply saddened" the tribal community nationwide. BSP chief Mayawati urged all parties to respect the Constitution and avoid politicising constitutional positions. From Telangana, Union Coal Minister G Kishan Reddy and BJP state president N Ramchander Rao also condemned the incident, with Kishan Reddy calling it "a blatant violation of protocol and an insult to the highest office of our nation" and demanding an unconditional apology to the President and the Santal community.
With the deadline passed and both sides unyielding, the row looks set to define the opening battle of West Bengal's fiercely contested upcoming assembly elections.