NEW DELHI: The row over last-minute venue change in President Droupadi Murmu‘s Santhal event escalated with Prime Minister Narendra Modi slamming the TMC government in the state, claiming that they were against tribal communities. Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee targeted the BJP for “using” the President to “malign” the state, advising Murmu to “not indulge in politics”. Earlier, Murmu had flagged concerns over venue change accusing the state administration of choosing a place where “Santhal people can’t go”.“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. The TMC Government of West Bengal has truly crossed all limits. Their administration is responsible for this insult to the President,” PM Modi said in a post on X.

“It is equally unfortunate that a subject as important as Santhal culture is treated so casually by the West Bengal Government. The office of the President is above politics and the sanctity of this office should always be respected. One hopes better sense prevails among the West Bengal Government and TMC,” he added.

‘Don’t play politics on BJP’s advice’: Mamata hits back at Murmu

Mamata Banerjee questioned Murmu’s concern for tribals saying, “Why don’t you protest when atrocities are committed against tribals. Why don’t you protest when it happens in Madhya Pradesh or Chhattisgarh?… First do something for them, then say anything.”“Don’t play politics at the time of the election, as per the BJP’s advice,” she added.She further accused the BJP of using Murmu to malign West Bengal.“BJP has stooped so low that it is using President Droupadi Murmu to malign West Bengal,” she said.

What had Murmu said

Murmu had expressed strong displeasure over the last-minute change of venue for an event she was scheduled to attend in West Bengal, saying authorities told her the original location was too congested.“Today was the International Santhal Conference. When I came here after attending it, I realised it would have been better if it had been held here, because the area is so vast… I don’t know what went through the administration’s mind… They said no, the place is congested. But I think five lakh people could gather here easily. But I don’t know why they took us there… I don’t know what went through the administration’s mind that they chose a place for the conference where the Santhal people couldn’t go... I am very sad that the people here were unable to reach the conference because it was held so far away,” she said.She said the last-minute change had left her saddened and also noted that chief minister Mamata Banerjee did not meet her during the visit, which she described as a departure from usual protocol.“Perhaps the administration had hoped that no one would be able to attend, and the President would simply turn around and leave… If the President visits a place, the Chief Minister and the Ministers should also come. But she did not… I am also a daughter of Bengal… Mamata Didi is also my sister, my younger sister. I don’t know if she was angry with me, that’s why this happened,” she said.