Kolkata, March 8, 2026 — In a sharp escalation of political tensions ahead of the 2026 West Bengal Assembly elections, Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Saturday directly challenged President Droupadi Murmu’s silence on the prolonged ethnic violence in Manipur, asking why the President had not spoken out when tribals were allegedly tortured in Manipur and other BJP-ruled states.
The confrontation stems from President Murmu’s visit to North Bengal earlier the same day, where she addressed a tribal gathering and expressed surprise at the absence of state government representatives.
# President Murmu’s Visit and Remarks in North Bengal
President Droupadi Murmu, who hails from a tribal (Santal) community, was the chief guest at a tribal event (reportedly linked to the International Santhal Conference) in Bidhannagar near Siliguri. She questioned the TMC government’s decision to shift the venue from Bidhannagar to Goshaipur near Bagdogra airport, suggesting it contributed to lower turnout. No state minister or Chief Minister Banerjee was present to receive her.
Referring to Banerjee as her “younger sister,” the President reportedly said: “I am also a daughter of Bengal, yet I am not allowed to come to Bengal. I do not know why Mamata Didi is so angry with me.” She also touched upon the pace of tribal development in the state.
# Mamata Banerjee’s Strong Rebuttal at Kolkata Protest Rally
Speaking at a protest gathering in Kolkata on the same day (March 7, 2026), Banerjee hit back, accusing the BJP of “stooping so low” by using the President’s office to malign the West Bengal government and influence voters ahead of the polls. She defended her absence, citing preoccupation with election-related duties, including safeguarding voters’ rights and addressing alleged irregularities in the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls.
“I can welcome you if you come once a year, but if you come during elections, it won’t be possible for me to attend your programmes as I am busy with people’s rights,” Banerjee said. “I am busy with people’s rights and the SIR; these are my priority.”
She then turned the focus to tribal issues across the country, questioning the BJP’s track record in states it governs.
“Are you (President Murmu) aware how the saffron party is snatching away the rights of tribals in BJP-ruled states?” she asked. Directly referencing the ethnic conflict in Manipur, Banerjee added: “President Murmu is talking about tribals, but why were you silent when tribals in Manipur and other BJP-ruled states were tortured?”
Social media and TMC-aligned accounts quickly amplified her remarks with the headline “Why Was the President Silent?” alongside hashtags on tribal rights and Manipur.
# Background: The Manipur Ethnic Violence
The Manipur crisis erupted in May 2023 over a row involving tribal reservations and land rights, pitting the valley-dominant Meitei community against the hill-based Kuki-Zo tribes. The violence has claimed over 200 lives, displaced tens of thousands (primarily Kukis), and involved widespread arson, sexual violence against women, and targeted killings. Despite multiple visits by Union ministers and security deployments, normalcy remains elusive nearly three years later. Critics, including opposition parties, have repeatedly highlighted the Union government’s and constitutional authorities’ perceived silence on the humanitarian crisis, particularly atrocities against tribal women and children.
President Murmu has not made any high-profile public statements specifically condemning the Manipur violence, a point opposition leaders have used to question her constitutional role as a protector of citizens’ rights.
# Prime Minister Modi’s Sharp Rebuke
Prime Minister Narendra Modi condemned Banerjee’s remarks as “shameful and unprecedented.” In a post on X (formerly Twitter), he wrote: “This is shameful and unprecedented. Everyone who believes in democracy and the empowerment of tribal communities is disheartened. The pain and anguish expressed by Rashtrapati Ji, who herself hails from a tribal community, has caused immense sadness in the minds of the people of India. The TMC government of West Bengal has truly crossed all limits.”
Modi further accused the TMC administration of insulting the President and treating Santhal culture casually.
# Political Context and Fallout
The episode comes as West Bengal gears up for Assembly polls in 2026, with the BJP hoping to challenge TMC’s dominance. Banerjee has framed the President’s visit and comments as a BJP-orchestrated attempt to create a narrative of anti-tribal bias against her government. She also alleged that incorrect information was fed to the President about the absence of state officials.
The Rashtrapati Bhavan has not issued any immediate response to Banerjee’s direct question on Manipur. The controversy has dominated headlines and social media discussions, with TMC supporters hailing Banerjee as a voice for the marginalised, while BJP leaders and supporters have accused her of disrespecting the highest constitutional office.
As the war of words intensifies, the row underscores deeper fault lines in Indian politics: the role of the President in politically charged times, the ongoing humanitarian crisis in Manipur, and the use of tribal welfare as an electoral plank in states like West Bengal.
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