Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi on Saturday launched a sharp attack against the West Bengal government over the reported snub of President Droupadi Murmu during her Siliguri visit. Majhi stated that the incident has “deeply saddened” Odisha and the tribal community throughout the country.
Majhi, who is himself a member of the Santhal community, emphasised in a social media post that President Murmu’s journey from Rairangpur to the nation’s highest office represents the collective aspirations of millions.
“Smt. Droupadi Murmu Ji, the daughter of our soil who rose from Rairangpur to Rashtrapati Bhavan, represents the aspirations and pride of millions. As a member of the Santhal community, this hurtful action of the TMC Government of West Bengal has also created a deeper sense of anguish and hurt within me and the entire Odia populace,” the CM said in the post.
Earlier on Saturday, President Murmu expressed her disappointment regarding the low attendance at the 9th International Santhal Conclave near Bagdogra airport in Siliguri. She questioned the sudden relocation of the event from Phansidewa and noted the conspicuous absence of West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee and her cabinet ministers during the visit.
While the President’s programme was originally slated for Phansidewa, a senior West Bengal government official said the venue was moved to a location near ‘Uttoran Township’ in Bidhannagar, closer to Bagdogra airport, due to security protocols.
Rejecting the explanation that the abrupt change was a mere “logistical issue,” Majhi argued that such disruptions at an event graced by the President as the chief guest raise serious concerns and send an unfortunate message.
The Chief Minister asserted that the situation transcends political rivalry, as the conclave was intended to honour the cultural identity and heritage of the Santhal people.
“An occasion meant to celebrate the rich heritage and identity of the Santhal community should have been treated with the dignity and respect it deserves. Any act that diminishes the significance of such a gathering reflects a troubling lack of sensitivity towards our tribal brothers and sisters,” Majhi said.
Reminding the public that the office of the President is the highest constitutional office in India, Majhi noted that it remains above political friction and embodies the dignity of the Constitution. He added that any action undermining that office is an affront to the country’s constitutional framework.
“It stands above political differences and represents the dignity of the Constitution itself. Any action that undermines the sanctity of that office diminishes the respect owed to our constitutional framework,” he said.
“In a vibrant democracy like ours, such narrow political considerations have no place. Our institutions and the leaders who represent them must always be accorded the utmost respect, and events celebrating the heritage of our tribal communities should be encouraged, not obstructed,” he added.
Meanwhile, the Odisha unit of the BJP also took to social media to allege that Banerjee had insulted the President during her visit to the state.
In an Odia-language post on X, the saffron party stated, “West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee does not shy away from insulting our Odia daughter as well as Hon’ble President of India.”
The saffron party also criticised the Congress and the Naveen Patnaik-led BJD, whom it described as the “new friend” of the oldest party, for not uttering a word against Banerjee’s statement on Murmu.
