President Droupadi Murmu expresses strong displeasure after the TMC-ruled West Bengal government changed the venue of the International Santal Conference in Darjeeling on March 7, 2026.
| Photo Credit: ANI
As controversy rages over proper protocol not being followed during President Droupadi Murmu’s visit to Darjeeling on Saturday (March 7, 2026), district officials emphasise that they had warned their superiors that arrangements at the International Santhal Conference were inadequate.
The Sub-Divisional Officer of Siliguri had, on March 4, written to the District Magistrate of Darjeeling that preparatory work at the venue had not yet been started by the organiser, with two days to go before the scheduled programme.
“In view of the importance and sensitivity of the programme, particularly due to the presence of the Hon’ble President of India, adequate preparation of the venue and related infrastructure is of utmost necessity. However, it has been observed today during inspection that preparatory work at the venue has not yet been started by the organiser, despite the fact that only two days remain before the scheduled programme,” the SDO Siliguri wrote to the Darjeeling District Magistrate.
The SDO urged the DM to issue directions to the concerned organiser so that immediate steps may be taken to ensure proper preparation of the venue and related arrangements well before the scheduled date of the programme.
Violation of blue book
The very same day, on March 4, 2026, the District Magistrate of Darjeeling wrote to the OSD & Under Secretary to the Government of West Bengal urging a review with the organiser of preparations and arrangements to ensure that protocol for a Presidential visit is observed. “In case it appears that they are not in a position to put up a proper programme, then the viability of holding the programme may be reviewed,” the DM wrote. The District Magistrate had suggested that “this may kindly be taken up with the Office of the Hon’ble President of India”.
The OSD and Under Secretary, GoWB, had forwarded the communication to the Protocol and Tour Officer, President’s Secretariat, Rashtrapati Bhavan.
On Sunday (March 8, 2026), Union Home Secretary Govind Mohan sought a report from West Bengal Chief Secretary Nandini Chakravorty over lapses during the President’s visit and violation of the blue book during President Murmu visit.
Officials who have been involved with arrangements during events where the President of India has been present said that protocol and rules as per the blue book had to be adhered to during these visits.
Minister in waiting
“There is a concept of a Minister-in- Waiting who should be present to welcome the President if the Chief Minister is unavailable. Usually it is a senior Minister in the State’s Council of Minister, but in this case (for President Murmu’s visit on March 7) neither the Governor (who had resigned) nor the Chief Minister (who was on dharna in Kolkata) nor any Minister- in-waiting was present to welcome the President,” the official said.
The Mayor of Siliguri Municipal Corporation, Gautam Deb, who was present at the event to receive the President cannot be accorded the status of a Minister-in-waiting as per the protocols laid in the blue book. Officials said that the rules laid in the blue book cannot be changed as per convenience of the State government. President Murmu had raised the issue of protocol not being adhered to during her visit by saying, “If the President visits a place, the Chief Minister and the Ministers should also come. But she did not…”.
Published – March 08, 2026 11:20 pm IST
