TNI Bureau: The office of the President stands above political contestation, embodying the dignity of the Republic. That is why the recent remarks by Droupadi Murmu during her visit to West Bengal have sparked an uncomfortable conversation about political protocol and institutional respect.
Speaking at the International Santhal Conference held at Visva-Bharati University in Santiniketan, the President publicly referred to certain lapses in arrangements during her visit. In a candid moment, she remarked that she did not know if Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee was “angry” with her, noting that neither the chief minister nor any senior minister from the state government had come to receive her.
President Murmu also mentioned that the venue of the event had to be shifted at the last minute due to lack of permission, forcing the organisers to move the conference to Visva-Bharati. While the President maintained a conciliatory tone—saying Mamata Banerjee was like a sister to her—the remarks revealed a sense of disappointment over what appeared to be a breach of established protocol.
The International Santhal Conference was a significant occasion celebrating Santhal heritage and identity—an issue close to President Murmu, who is India’s first tribal President. Against that backdrop, the reported absence of the state’s top leadership gave the episode an even sharper edge.
Political disagreements between the Centre and opposition-ruled states are not uncommon in India’s federal system. Yet protocol is not a matter of political convenience. It reflects respect for constitutional offices and the institutions they represent.
The incident in Santiniketan may appear minor in the larger scheme of politics. But moments like these remind us that the strength of democratic institutions lies not only in law, but also in the culture of respect that surrounds them.
