President Droupadi Murmu on Saturday voiced displeasure over alleged protocol and security lapses during her visit to West Bengal for a tribal community annual conference. Prime Minister Narendra Modi later said the state government was responsible for the “insult” to the President.
The conference was originally planned at Bidhannagar near Siliguri, but permission was denied citing security reasons, according to the report. The event was then shifted to Ghoshaipore near Bagdogra airport after the state government granted approval.
When Murmu arrived at Bagdogra airport in Siliguri district, she was received by local officials including Siliguri Mayor Gautam Deb. The report said the absence of the Chief Minister or a minister to receive the President, as per protocol, caused displeasure.
Murmu attended the conference at Ghoshaipore and addressed the gathering, but expressed disappointment over the low public turnout and what she described as inadequate arrangements. She later also interacted with tribal people in the earlier-denied Bidhannagar area.
In her remarks, Murmu questioned why a venue with capacity for large crowds was not permitted, and said the lapses in protocol and security during her Siliguri trip were worrying. Separately, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee alleged the BJP was using the President to target the state government, while the Prime Minister criticised the state administration and urged respect for the dignity of the President’s office.
