Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday launched a sharp attack on the Trinamool Congress after President Droupadi Murmu publicly criticised the West Bengal government for changing the venue of the International Santal Conference, calling the episode “shameful and unprecedented.”
President Murmu, who was the chief guest at the event in north Bengal, questioned why the venue had been shifted from Bidhannagar to Goshaipur, where attendance was reportedly thin. She also noted that neither Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee nor any of her ministers had come to receive her, and asked whether the Trinamool Congress chief was upset with her.
Sharing a video of President Murmu’s remarks, PM Modi accused the Trinamool Congress of treating Santal culture casually and highlighted that the President herself belongs to a tribal community.
This is shameful and unprecedented. Everyone who believes in democracy and the empowerment of tribal communities is disheartened.
The pain and anguish expressed by Rashtrapati Ji, who herself hails from a tribal community, has caused immense sadness in the minds of the people… https://t.co/XGzwMCMFrT— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) March 7, 2026
“This is shameful and unprecedented. Everyone who believes in democracy and the empowerment of tribal communities is disheartened. The pain and anguish expressed by Rashtrapati Ji, who herself hails from a tribal community, has caused immense sadness in the minds of the people of India,” Modi wrote.
He further said the TMC government in West Bengal had “truly crossed all limits,” holding the state administration responsible for what he described as an insult to the President. “It is equally unfortunate that a subject as important as Santal culture is treated so casually by the West Bengal Government,” he added.
Modi also emphasised that the office of the President stands above politics and its sanctity must be upheld. “One hopes better sense prevails among the West Bengal Government and TMC,” he asserted.
Development Questions
Speaking at the conference, President Murmu questioned whether Central schemes and development initiatives were actually reaching tribals in the region. “Is development taking place for Santals and tribals in this region? I don’t think so. Are the development and facilities (from the Centre) reaching you? I don’t think so,” she said, adding that she believed some people were being prevented from attending the event and that certain elements did not want the Santal community to unite, progress, or gain strength.
On the venue change, Murmu said her staff was told there was a shortage of space at the original location. “I do not know why the state administration did not allow the meeting there. There is ample space. I am also a daughter of Bengal. Mamata Banerjee is like my younger sister. I do not know whether she is upset,” the President said.
‘Playing Politics’
Chief Minister Banerjee, who was in Kolkata protesting against the Special Intensive Revision of voter rolls, dismissed the President’s remarks as politically motivated, particularly given the upcoming Assembly elections in the state.
“I would like to humbly request the President not to make statements that don’t speak well of your post. You spoke about one community today, you didn’t speak about the rest of the communities here in Bengal. You know how to play politics. I request my MPs to take an appointment from Rashtrapati Bhawan and submit a memorandum about all the work done for the development of ST/SC communities here,” Banerjee said.
The Trinamool Congress separately released a list of measures taken by the Bengal government toward tribal welfare.