During her visit to West Bengal for the International Santhal Conference, President Droupadi Murmu expressed disappointment over protocol issues and the absence of Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, remarking that the TMC leader was “like a sister” but might be upset with her.

President Murmu on Saturday publicly expressed concern over what she described as unusual circumstances during her visit to West Bengal, saying she did not understand why Mamata Banerjee appeared to be upset with her.

The remarks came during the President’s address at the International Santhal Conference in north Bengal. Murmu noted that the state’s chief minister and senior ministers were not present to receive her during the visit, something she said is typically expected as part of protocol when the President travels to a state.

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Meanwhile, Banerjee also accused political opponents of trying to create unnecessary controversy around the visit, while insisting that the state government had extended all required administrative support for the event.

Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee retorted sharply to the President's comments. She said from the stage of her sit-in protests in Kolkata, "The BJP has sent even the President to sell political narratives. She has been caught in a fix."

The Chief Minister added, "I'll recieve if you come once a year. But, would I have the time for that if you visit fifty times a year? I'm sitting on a protest to fight for the rights of people affected by SIR; how will I go to your meeting? Which one should be my priority? BJP is your priority, mine are the people."

She went on to say, "You may criticise us. But the reality won't change. But you didn't utter a word on SIR. Do you know how many Adivasis have been omitted through the SIR? Their rights have been snatched away. Please take stock. And also take note of what we've done for the Santhalis."

Meanwhile, the All India Trinamool Congress's X handle posted various initiatives undertaken for the Adivasi Communities in Bengal, while claiming that the President "appeared to be under the misinformed impression that there has been no development for Adivasi communities in Bengal."

Prime Minister Narendra Modi also reacted sharply to the controversy, accusing the West Bengal government of disrespecting the office of the President. In a post on social media, Modi said the Trinamool Congress government had “crossed all limits” and described the episode as “shameful and unprecedented."

He said the anguish expressed by President Droupadi Murmu, who herself comes from a tribal community, had saddened people across the country.

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Modi further said the sanctity of the President’s office must remain above politics, adding that the West Bengal administration was responsible for the situation surrounding the Santhal community event.