A major political controversy arose in West Bengal on Saturday, March 7, 2026, after President Murmu expressed disappointment with the State government for changing the venue of the International Santal Conference. She also criticized the government for not following the required protocol to welcome her at the event.
President Murmu Disappointed Over Tribal Conference venue
The State government moved the conference from Bidhannagar, located in Phansidewa block of Darjeeling district, to Gossainpur in the Bagdogra area, which is on the outskirts of Siliguri in the same district.
After attending the conference at Gossainpur, she traveled around 30 kms to Bidhannagar. There, she voiced her frustration about the venue change and the lack of State ministers to greet her.
President Travels to Original Venue
“They said this place (Bidhannagar) is congested and that I wouldn’t be able to go. But I think five lakh people could gather here easily. I don’t know why they took us there. I can’t understand why the administration chose a place for the conference where the Santal people could not attend. I am very sad that the people here unable to reach the conference because it was held so far away,” President Murmu said.
He also expressed his views. “It is extremely unfortunate that the West Bengal government is treating such an important matter as Santhal culture so lightly. The office of the President is above politics, and this dignity always upheld. I hope the West Bengal government and the Trinamool Congress come to their senses,” Mr. Modi said.
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