Overview
- President Droupadi Murmu publicly criticised a last‑minute venue shift near Bagdogra, cited low turnout and access issues, and noted Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee’s absence.
- West Bengal’s chief minister said the International Santal Council ran the event, claimed district officials warned the President’s Secretariat of poor preparations, and asserted no state protocol lapse.
- Union home secretary Govind Mohan sought a detailed report from the West Bengal chief secretary by 5 pm Sunday on alleged Blue Book violations, the venue change, reception lineup, route conditions, and facility gaps.
- Prime Minister Narendra Modi and senior BJP leaders called the episode an insult to the President and the Constitution, while Banerjee accused the BJP of politicising the presidency and cited her protest schedule for not attending.
- Political fallout widened beyond Bengal as BJP supporters burned Mamata Banerjee effigies in Jharkhand, and no independent determination of responsibility has been reported yet.