Daijiworld Media Network - New Delhi

Kolkata, Mar 8: The Union Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) has asked the West Bengal government, headed by Mamata Banerjee, to submit a detailed report regarding alleged protocol violations during the recent visit of Droupadi Murmu to the state.

President Murmu attended the International Santal Conclave held at Gossaipur in Darjeeling district on Saturday as the chief guest and keynote speaker. Following the event, the MHA sent a communication to the state administration seeking clarification about certain developments surrounding the programme.

According to sources at the state secretariat, Nabanna, the Union ministry has specifically questioned why the organisers were not allowed to conduct the event at their originally selected venue and why the location of the programme was changed shortly before it was scheduled to take place.

The communication was addressed to West Bengal Chief Secretary Nandini Chakraborty, directing the state government to provide a response by Sunday evening. Officials indicated that the report would need to explain the circumstances that led to the venue change and how the administration handled the situation.

In the directive sent by Union Home Secretary Govind Mohan, the state government was also asked to furnish details regarding the confusion surrounding the President’s programme and the steps taken by authorities to manage the issue.

President Murmu had originally been scheduled to arrive in North Bengal on Friday afternoon, but her visit was postponed due to unavoidable reasons. She eventually reached Bagdogra airport on Saturday morning around 11:30 am.

The President was initially expected to attend a gathering of the tribal community in the Phansidewa area near Siliguri in Darjeeling district. However, the venue was later shifted to Gossaipur, triggering controversy.

Amid the dispute over the change of venue, the President reportedly expressed displeasure. She later travelled to Phansidewa — the location originally planned for the event — where she made mild remarks about the situation while noting that Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee was like a younger sister to her.

During her address, President Murmu also pointed out that neither the Chief Minister nor any member of her Cabinet met her during the visit, which she said deviated from established conventions typically followed when the President travels to a state.

The remarks sparked a political exchange between leaders of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and the Chief Minister. Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Union Home Minister Amit Shah, and several BJP leaders criticised the state government over the episode.

Responding to the allegations, Mamata Banerjee denied that any protocol was violated during the President’s visit. She also accused the BJP of attempting to use the country’s highest constitutional office to advance its political agenda.