Mamata Counters PM with Old Photo Amid Protocol Row

A significant political controversy erupted in India involving West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, and President Droupadi Murmu, primarily centered around alleged protocol violations during the President's recent visit to West Bengal and a subsequent 'photo attack' by Banerjee. The events unfolded after President Droupadi Murmu's two-day visit to West Bengal, which included attending the 9th International Santal Conference in Darjeeling/Siliguri on March 7, 2026. During her visit, President Murmu publicly expressed her dissatisfaction regarding several aspects. She highlighted the absence of Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee and other state ministers at her reception at Bagdogra airport and the conference itself, which she deemed a breach of established protocol. Murmu also voiced concerns over a last-minute change in the venue of the International Santal Conference, and reports suggested that arrangements were poor, and people were prevented from entering the original site. While expressing her anguish, President Murmu also referred to Mamata Banerjee as her 'younger sister,' implying a personal connection despite the criticism. In response to the President's remarks and the subsequent strong criticism from Prime Minister Narendra Modi and other BJP leaders, Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee vehemently denied any protocol lapse on the part of the state government. She asserted that the International Santal Conference was organized by a private body, not the state government, and therefore, the responsibility for arrangements and protocol did not solely rest with her administration. Furthermore, Banerjee claimed that the state government had already informed the President's office about the organizers' limited capacity to manage an event of such magnitude. She also stated that she was preoccupied with an ongoing dharna (protest) in Kolkata regarding the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls at the time of the President's visit, which prevented her from personally receiving Murmu. The political slugfest escalated when Mamata Banerjee, during her protest, publicly displayed a photograph to counter the allegations of disrespect towards the President. The photograph, dating back to March 31, 2024, captured a moment during the Bharat Ratna ceremony for veteran BJP leader L.K. Advani, where Prime Minister Narendra Modi was seen seated next to Advani, while President Murmu stood as she conferred the award. Banerjee used this image as 'proof' to argue that it was the BJP, and by extension the Prime Minister, who showed a lack of respect for the President's office, directly challenging the narrative set by the ruling party. Prime Minister Modi, along with Home Minister Amit Shah and other BJP figures, had swiftly condemned the West Bengal government, characterizing the alleged protocol breaches as a 'grave insult' to the President, particularly highlighting her tribal and woman identity on International Women's Day. Modi stated that such an act was 'shameful and unprecedented' and an insult to the Constitution and democratic traditions. The Union Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) also took cognizance of the matter, seeking a detailed report from the West Bengal government regarding the alleged protocol violations. The West Bengal government subsequently submitted its report, denying any lapses and stating that local officials had followed procedures. This entire episode has been widely covered by Indian media outlets, with various publications corroborating the core facts of the unfolding political drama. The timing of the controversy, coinciding with upcoming state assembly elections, has further politicized the issue, with both the TMC and BJP attempting to leverage it for political gain. Credible sources like The Hindu, The Times of India, India Today, and NDTV have consistently reported on the events, providing a verified account of the accusations, counter-accusations, and official responses. The headline of the original NDTV article accurately reflects Mamata Banerjee's action of using the photograph as a 'photo attack' against the Prime Minister. The situation remains a contentious political issue in India, particularly in West Bengal.

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