President Murmu flags protocol lapses during Bengal visit

President Draupdi Murmu has voiced her annoyance with the West Bengal Government for not maintaining the protocol during her visit to attend the 9th International Santal Adivasi Conference in Siliguri. In a public interaction following the programme, President Draupdi Murmu said, by protocol Chief Minister should be present when the President comes to a state. The President also said that she noticed that many people of the adivasi community were stopped from attending the Santal Conference. The President said the state government had not provided a proper venue for the conference to accommodate more people. It is alleged that officials of the state government also did not attend the event.
While Addressing the gathering, the President on Saturday said that it is a matter of pride for the Santal community that Tilka Majhi raised the banner of revolt against exploitation nearly 240 years ago. Nearly 60 years after his revolt, the brave brothers Sido-Kanhu and Chand-Bhairav, along with the brave sisters Phoolo-Jhano, led the Santal Hul in 1855. She underlined that tribal communities have preserved their traditions for centuries. She urged them to embrace modern development and move forward on the journey of progress while preserving folk traditions and the environment. She also urged them to read other languages and scripts, while remaining connected with their own language.