Politics: Protocol Violation During President’s West Bengal Visit Sparks Political Row

A major controversy has erupted in West Bengal over an alleged protocol violation during the visit of the Droupadi Murmu, the President of India. The Ministry of Home Affairs (India) has reportedly sought an explanation from the state’s Chief Secretary and asked for a detailed report by 5:00 PM regarding the incident. According to sources, the President expressed dissatisfaction with the arrangements during her visit. Reports suggest that several key officials—including Mamata Banerjee, senior ministers, the Chief Secretary, and the Director General of Police—were not present to receive the President, which is considered a breach of standard protocol. Additionally, the event venue was reportedly a small ground despite the availability of a larger nearby location. The issue has triggered a political dispute ahead of the upcoming state assembly elections. The state government has defended itself, with Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee claiming that the visit occurred during the election period, making it difficult for her to attend personally. Meanwhile, Ajay Alok, a spokesperson of the Bharatiya Janata Party, criticized the state government and said constitutional positions such as the President must remain above political conflicts.