President Droupadi Murmu on Saturday raised concerns over the arrangements for the International Santhali Conclave in north Bengal, pointing to the last-minute venue change and the absence of West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee and state ministers during her arrival, while still describing the Chief Minister as “like my younger sister”.Reacting, Mamata accused the President of speaking “on BJP’s advice”, questioning her “silence” on atrocities against tribals in states such as Manipur and Chhattisgarh. Addressing local residents near Bagdogra in Darjeeling district, the President said the original venue for the conclave at Bidhannagar had adequate space for a large gathering but the state administration shifted the programme to a smaller location in Goshaipur citing congestion and security issues. The change, she said, prevented many members of the tribal community from attending the event.Murmu also referred to what she described as lapses in protocol during her arrival at the Bagdogra airport. She said neither the CM nor any minister from the state government was present to receive her. Siliguri Mayor Gautam Deb was the only public representative present at the airport.The President said the administration apparently believed that holding the programme at the original venue would lead to overcrowding. She said the earlier venue had ample space and could have accommodated a much larger number of people.Murmu said she did not know why permission was not granted to hold the event at the earlier site and added that she felt hurt by the developments.Despite her disappointment, the President said Mamata Banerjee was like her younger sister and she did not know whether the CM was upset with her. Murmu said she had no complaints against her and wished her well.The issue quickly drew national political attention after Prime Minister Narendra Modi criticised the West Bengal Government over the developments. Describing the developments as shameful and unprecedented, he said those who believe in democracy and the empowerment of tribals were 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. Their administration is responsible for this insult to the President. It is equally unfortunate that a subject as important as Santal culture is treated so casually by the West Bengal Government. The office of the President is above politics and the sanctity of this office should always be respected. One hopes better sense prevails among the West Bengal Government and TMC,” The PM said on X.Vice-President CP Radhakrishnan said: “Any lapse in arrangements befitting her constitutional position that happened in West Bengal today is unfortunate. The sanctity of the office of the Hon’ble President must always be maintained and due respect accorded to the highest office of the nation.”Banerjee rejected the criticism and questioned the basis of the concerns raised about the treatment of tribal communities. Banerjee asked why protests were not raised when atrocities against tribals occurred in states such as Madhya Pradesh or Chhattisgarh. She said those raising the issue should first act to protect tribal communities before making political statements. She also accused the BJP of turning the issue into an electoral matter. She said politics should not be played at the time of elections and alleged that the BJP had stooped to a low level by using Murmu to malign West Bengal.