Prez row: State replies to MHA. Centre to blame, CM tells PM

KOLKATA: The Union home ministry on Sunday sought an explanation from the Bengal chief secretary over a “protocol breach” at an event on Saturday in Siliguri, where President Droupadi Murmu was the chief guest.

The Centre’s move prompted a rebuke from CM Mamata Banerjee, who alleged that Bengal was being targeted because of the upcoming assembly polls. She said that if anything had gone wrong at the event, the Centre should be held responsible because it had ignored issues flagged by the state govt on March 4. “So, don’t blame us,” Banerjee said from her SIR protest dais.


While speaking at International Santal Conference on Saturday, the President had drawn attention to the absence of the CM and her cabinet colleagues to receive her in Siliguri and the manner in which the venue was shifted to a remote location.

Nabanna sources said chief secretary Nandini Chakravorty received a letter on Sunday from Union home secretary Govind Mohan, asking for details about the alleged protocol breach and the steps taken to address it. She sent her reply in the evening, sources said.

The Centre’s move appears to have united opposition parties, with Congress and RJD expressing support for TMC.

PM Narendra Modi, speaking on the issue for the second time in 48 hours on Sunday, said the “enlightened” people of Bengal would never forgive TMC “for insulting a woman, a tribal leader, and the honourable President of the country”. He added, “The country, the tribal society, and the women of this nation will never forgive this.”

Banerjee hit back within hours, displaying a poster showing the PM seated while the President was standing. “PM Modi, this is for you. Are you treating President Murmu with respect? Why were you sitting when she was standing? This image is a proof of who actually shows respect. We honour every person holding constitutional posts. The PM attacks and disrespects Bengal before every election,” she said.

Addressing a gathering in Delhi’s Burari, the PM said, “Today, when the country is celebrating the achievements of its mothers, sisters and daughters on International Women’s Day, yesterday (Saturday) in West Bengal the TMC govt gravely insulted the President. She visited Bengal to attend a significant Santal celebration, but TMC chose to boycott the sacred event... This is not only an insult to the President, but also an insult to the Constitution, the spirit of the Constitution and the great traditions of our democracy.”

The CM responded, “I have already replied to your tweet (on Saturday). The programme was not organised by us. It was a private event. The state govt sent a letter (on March 4) clearly stating that the organisers lacked the capability to host an event involving the President. They did not involve us. Despite our warnings, the President exercised her choice to accept the invitation. That was her prerogative, not ours.”

She said the organisers of the event should answer why people did not turn up in numbers. “They never asked us to send attendees. I cross-checked the wash room issues that were highlighted. That matter is under the jurisdiction of Airport Authority of India (AAI). The green room was set up by the organisers in an AAI zone. If anything went wrong there, it is their failure.”

Taking a dig at the PM for linking the issue to International Women’s Day, Banerjee said, “PM Modi questioned why we are celebrating International Women’s Day. We will celebrate it a thousand times. We respect our brothers and sisters. You do not have the right to criticise us. We have been celebrating the day since our childhood.”

Congress and RJD backed Trinamool on the matter. Congress spokesperson Supriya Shrinate said, “The office of the President must not be used to advance BJP’s political agenda. Selective outrage expressed through a partisan lens diminishes both the office and its occupant.” RJD’s Manoj Kumar Jha said, “We all know who crossed the limits. Do not try to give this an election spin.”

Sources said Trinamool MPs will seek an appointment with President Droupadi Murmu next week to present her the “true facts”. TMC’s Rajya Sabha leader Derek O Brien is likely to write to the President on this.