Union Home Secretary Govind Mohan has asked the West Bengal government to submit a detailed report on alleged lapses in protocol during the visit of President Droupadi Murmu, directing the state’s chief secretary to provide a full explanation by 5 pm. The communication seeks clarification on deviations from the prescribed arrangements for receiving the head of state and requests a detailed account of events surrounding the International Santal Conference in Darjeeling district.Officials familiar with the matter said the Union home ministry wants the report to outline the circumstances that led to what it described as irregularities in the reception protocol for the President. The letter also asks the state administration to specify why the venue of the International Santal Conference was altered and how logistical arrangements were handled after the change.
Murmu travelled to north Bengal as part of a scheduled visit linked to the conference, an event associated with the Santal community that draws participants and cultural representatives from several regions. The programme was expected to include official engagements as well as interactions with community leaders and organisers. Changes in the event’s location and questions about arrangements during the President’s visit have since drawn scrutiny from central authorities.
Protocol governing visits by the President requires detailed coordination between the Union government, state administration and local authorities. The President’s Secretariat, the Union home ministry, the state government and district officials normally coordinate security, ceremonial reception and venue logistics well in advance. Any alteration to approved arrangements must be formally communicated and cleared through established channels.
According to officials aware of the guidelines, such visits typically involve multi-layered security planning that includes coordination with state police, intelligence agencies and the Special Protection Group’s support teams responsible for the safety of the President. Ceremonial protocols also specify who receives the President at airports or helipads, the order of officials during receptions, and the arrangements for official events.
Questions surrounding the Darjeeling programme emerged after reports suggested that the venue for the International Santal Conference had been modified from earlier plans. Authorities at the Centre have sought details explaining why the shift occurred and whether the change affected the scheduled programme involving the President. The Union home ministry’s communication to the West Bengal administration asks for a timeline of decisions taken before and during the visit.
Officials indicated that the requested report should clarify which departments or officials authorised the change of venue and whether the President’s Secretariat or the Union home ministry had been informed beforehand. The report is also expected to list the sequence of events leading to the alleged lapses in protocol during the reception.
Political attention has focused on the issue as the visit involved the country’s constitutional head and an event of cultural significance for the Santal community, one of the largest tribal groups in eastern India. The conference has traditionally served as a platform for discussions on tribal identity, culture and development, drawing participants from several states as well as neighbouring countries.
Darjeeling district, where the conference took place, has long been a focal point for political and cultural gatherings because of its diverse ethnic composition and its role in regional debates over identity and governance. Programmes involving tribal communities in the region often attract both cultural organisations and political figures, reflecting the broader significance of such events in eastern India’s social landscape.
Administrative sources said the Union home ministry’s decision to seek a detailed explanation reflects the importance attached to strict adherence to protocol when the President undertakes official engagements. Standard procedures are designed to ensure that ceremonial practices, security arrangements and logistical planning follow uniform guidelines across states.
Governments at the state level usually appoint senior officers to oversee coordination with central agencies during such visits. Preparations often begin weeks in advance and involve rehearsals of ceremonial reception, route planning, security deployment and event scheduling.
The directive from Govind Mohan emphasises that the report should clearly outline the reasons behind the changes in arrangements and identify any procedural deviations. Officials said the Centre expects the state administration to provide a comprehensive account covering the planning stage, the execution of the President’s programme and the circumstances surrounding the conference venue.