Droupadi Murmu Event Sparks War of Words Between Narendra Modi and Mamata Banerjee

On Women's Day in West Bengal, Prime Minister Narendra Modi attacked the Trinamool Congress government, accusing it of insulting President Draupadi Murmu. He said the remarks about the President were an affront to the dignity of the highest constitutional office in the country.

The Prime Minister said that the country and women will never forgive this insult to President Draupadi Murmu.

The controversy erupted after the venue of the 9th International Santhali Conclave held in West Bengal was changed and Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee and other ministers were absent from the event that President Draupadi Murmu was supposed to attend.

Not only the President but also Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed displeasure over this decision, leading to an escalating war of words between the two sides.

On Saturday, President Draupadi Murmu attended the Tribal Community Conclave. The event was originally scheduled to be held in Bidhannagar but was moved to a smaller venue in Goshaipur near Bagdogra Airport due to crowd concerns.

Officials, speaking on condition of anonymity, told Hindustan Times that the President was unhappy with the change. They expressed regret that the remote location prevented locals from attending the conference.

Addressing a gathering in Phansidewa, near Siliguri, President Draupadi Murmu, who belongs to the Santhal community, said that perhaps the administration expected that no one would attend the event and the President would have to return.

President Murmu, referring to Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee as her younger sister, wondered if she was angry with her. She said that usually when the President visits a state, the Chief Minister and other ministers are present at the event.

She said, "Madam Chief Minister did not come. I am also a daughter of Bengal. Am I not allowed to come to Bengal? Mamata Didi is like my younger sister. Perhaps she is angry with me, that's why the event was held so far away. But never mind."

Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee hit back at the controversy, accusing the President of playing politics at the behest of the BJP. According to news agency PTI, Banerjee said at a protest site in Kolkata that the BJP has stooped so low that it is using President Draupadi Murmu to defame the state.

When President Murmu questioned why the Chief Minister did not attend the event, Mamata Banerjee said that it is not always possible for her to attend every event, especially before the state assembly elections later this year.