Manas Dasgupta
NEW DELHI, Mar 9: Amidst the controversy over the alleged breach of protocol, the West Bengal government has submitted a report to the Centre, explaining the circumstances surrounding the developments during the President Droupadi Murmu’s visit to Siliguri last week, officials said on Monday.
State Chief Secretary Nandini Chakraborty sent the report to Union Home Secretary Govind Mohan, along with supporting documents detailing the sequence of events related to the incident, they said. “The report explaining the entire sequence of events has been sent to the Union home ministry along with relevant documents,” a senior West Bengal government officer said.
“We have placed on record the administrative decisions taken at every stage,” he said. The report also explains why Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee was not present at the programme, he said. In addition, the State government has also informed the Centre about the reasons behind the decision to change the venue of the International Indigenous and Santhal Conference during Ms Murmu’s visit, the official said.
The Union Ministry of Home Affairs had sought a report from the West Bengal government, following allegations of a protocol breach during the President’s visit to the state on March 7.
Highly placed sources had said on Sunday that the communique sent to the West Bengal chief secretary sought a response on the absence of the Chief Minister, the Chief Secretary and the DGP when the President arrived in the State, saying it was a serious violation of the ‘Blue Book’ rules. The ‘Blue Book’ is a confidential document, which lists out rules for the security and protocol for the President, Vice President and the Prime Minister and their families.
The Centre had sought a response from the State Government by 5 p.m. on Sunday over the “violations” of the rules related to protocol, venue and route arrangements during her visit, sources said. “In his letter to West Bengal Chief Secretary, Union Home Secretary Govind Mohan sought a report from him over violation of the ‘Blue Book’ rules of protocol, venue and route arrangements,” a government source had said.
President Droupadi Murmu on Saturday had expressed disappointment with the State Government for changing the venue of the International Santhal Conference in Darjeeling district and not adhering to the desired protocol to receive her at the event. She had also noted the absence of Ms Banerjee and her Ministers during her visit, and the low audience turnout. Siliguri Mayor Gautam Deb was the only representative present at the airport to receive her. According to protocol, the Chief Minister or a Minister of the State Government is usually present to receive the President.
The State Government had changed the venue of the conference from Bidhannagar in Darjeeling district to Gossainpur in Bagdogra area located on the outskirts of Siliguri in the same district. Ms Banerjee, responding to the issue, had said the President was received and seen off by the Mayor of Siliguri Municipal Corporation, DM Darjeeling and CP Siliguri Police Commissionerate strictly as per the approved lineup shared by the President’s Secretariat. She said the organiser appeared inadequately prepared. “No protocol lapse happened on part of district administration,” she posted on X.
Expressing his anguish, Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi had also alleged denial of permission of venue for the International Santhal Conclave in Darjeeling, which President Droupadi Murmu was scheduled to grace, “cannot be dismissed as mere logistical issues.” He said the Office of the President stands above political differences and embodies the dignity of the Constitution. “The recent developments in Siliguri during the visit of our President Murmu Ji, have deeply saddened the people of Odisha and the entire tribal community across India,” Mr Majhi wrote in a post on X.
“The denial of permission for the International Santhal Conclave and the abrupt shifting of venues cannot be dismissed as mere ‘logistical issues.’ Such actions raise serious concerns and convey an unfortunate message when an event, where the President herself was to grace the occasion as the Chief Guest, is subjected to such disruptions,” he said.
Stating that matter goes far beyond political considerations, Odisha CM said that “an occasion meant to celebrate the rich heritage and identity of the Santhal community should have been treated with the dignity and respect it deserves.” “Any act that diminishes the significance of such a gathering reflects a troubling lack of sensitivity toward our tribal brothers and sisters,” Mr Majhi rued. Ms Murmu hails from Rairangpur in Odisha and belonged to the Santhal tribal community.