The political row over President Draupadi Murmu’s visit to West Bengal escalated on Sunday, with the Union Home Ministry seeking a report from the state government on the alleged protocol violation, Prime Minister Narendra Modi intensifying his attack on the Trinamool Congress (TMC), and Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee hitting back.
In a letter to West Bengal Chief Secretary Nandini Chakravorty, Union Home Minister Govind Mohan has sought a response by 5 pm on Sunday regarding alleged violations of ‘Blue Book’ rules during the President’s visit on Saturday to a tribal event in North Bengal.
The “Blue Book” is a secret document that sets out security and protocol rules for the President, Vice President, Prime Minister and their families.
Read also | ‘Targeting Bengal, no violation of protocol’: Mamata Banerjee’s reaction to ‘insulting president’ row
“The Home Minister sought a response over the absence of the Prime Minister, Chief Secretary and Director General of Police to receive the President, which is a serious violation of Blue Book rules. The Center has taken note of the fact that only the Mayor of Siliguri was present to receive her,” said a Delhi officer privy to the details. It was not immediately clear whether the TMC government had given a response.
In Delhi, Modi escalated his attack on the Bengal government, accusing it of disrespecting the president. “This is not only an insult to the president, but it is also an insult to the country’s constitution and the great traditions of democracy. It is an insult to a personality who has achieved great heights during a life of struggle,” he said during the inauguration of multiple infrastructure projects worth $100,000. $33,500 crores.
Banerjee responded, accusing the Prime Minister of insulting India’s constitutional president. At a protest sit-in in Kolkata over the SIR exercise, she uploaded a picture showing Modi sitting while the President stood next to him.
“The picture shows that the Prime Minister is sitting while the President is standing. We never do that. It is the BJP that carries the culture of insulting the President, not us,” she claimed, offering the picture as “proof.” The photo was of a March 2024 event when President Murmu conferred LK Advani with the Bharat Ratna at his residence in New Delhi, according to news agency PTI.
Read also | ‘Nari Shakti will not forgive’: PM Modi slams TMC, accuses Mamata government of ‘insulting’ President Murmu
On Saturday, Murmu expressed disappointment over the change of venue of the 9th International Santal Congress, questioned the development of tribals in the state and blamed Banerjee for her absence in a rare rebuke to a government elected by the constitutional president.
Her remarks sparked a bitter confrontation, with Modi accusing the TMC of “crossing all limits” and insulting the president, while Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee claimed that the BJP was using the country’s highest office to discredit the country and questioned the president’s “silence” over alleged atrocities against tribals in BJP-ruled states.
The political war of words did not stop on Sunday.
Modi said the people would not forgive the junta for its actions, which he said were rooted in dirty politics and arrogance. “President Murmu ji visited Bengal to attend a grand ceremony to honor Santali tribal traditions. However, the TMC chose to boycott this sacred and important event,” he said.
“Neither the nation nor the tribal community nor the power of women (Nari Shakti) in this country will forgive them,” he added.
Banerjee confirmed that the state administration was not involved in organizing the event.
She said: “The program was not organized by the state, but rather by a private organization. The state sent a message stating that the private body lacks the capacity to organize such an event. They did not involve us in this.”
The event was organized by the International Santal Council, a private organisation, HT reported on Saturday. There was no immediate response from the organizers to the controversy.
Read also | President Murmu’s ‘angry’ remarks trigger Modi’s showdown against Mamata over Bengali tribal event
The Prime Minister said that although the organizers were unable to do so, it was the President’s choice to accept that invitation. “How can we be held responsible for claiming that people did not attend the event? The responsibility lies with the organization that planned it. They never asked us to send our people to the venue, except providing us information about the party,” Banerjee said.
The event was originally scheduled to be held in Bidhannagar at Vansidwa building but was shifted about 25 km away to Gosinpur near Siliguri, where Murmu said the change in venue limited participation. People familiar with the matter told HT on Saturday that the change was made due to security protocol.
Defending her stand that no protocol was violated, the Chief Minister said that Siliguri Mayor Gautam Deb was present to receive Murmu in Bagdogra.
“I am sitting in a dharna and fighting to protect people’s rights. How can I leave? I did not even know about your arrival before this dharna. We are fighting for everyone, irrespective of their religion or any other identity. This is my priority because it involves thwarting the basic rights of people,” Banerjee said.
(with PTI inputs)
