Bhubaneswar: Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi on Wednesday wrote a letter to his West Bengal counterpart, Mamata Banerjee, expressing deep concern over the recent incident involving President Droupadi Murmu.
In the letter, the CM urged Banerjee to reflect on the matter and convey regret to the president and the people of the country. He said such a gesture would help reaffirm the shared commitment to democratic norms and the dignity of constitutional offices.
Majhi said India’s democratic traditions rest on mutual respect and dignity. He stated that differences of opinion should never lead to differences of heart. He expressed concern over the manner in which the president, whom he described as a respected tribal woman, was treated during her visit to West Bengal.
The CM also said the episode has caused deep pain to many people across the country. He noted that the incident occurred just before International Women’s Day, making the situation even more disturbing, according to a government release.
Majhi also referred to the absence of basic courtesies during Murmu’s visit. He mentioned reported changes in arrangements related to an event involving members of the tribal community. According to Majhi, these developments have been widely perceived as unfortunate and inconsistent with constitutional values.
The chief minister further said the incident has hurt the sentiments of millions of Adivasis, backward classes, and Dalits across the country. He added that it has also cast an avoidable shadow on the image of West Bengal, which he described as a land known for culture, civility, and respect for democratic institutions.
Majhi said the Santhal community is a large community living across many parts of India and contributing significantly to the country’s development. He noted that he himself belongs to the Santhal community and feels deeply distressed by the incident.
