"President Standing, You're Sitting": Mamata Fires Back at PM With Damaging Old Photo

A political storm has erupted over President Droupadi Murmu’s recent visit to West Bengal, as Mamata Banerjee launched a scathing attack on Prime Minister Narendra Modi using a two-year-old photograph from 2022. The image shows the President standing while the Prime Minister sits, a moment Banerjee used to question Modi’s respect for the office of the president.

Speaking at a public rally, Banerjee said: “Honourable Prime Minister, this is for you. Do you respect the president, a woman and a tribal leader? Then why is the president standing and you sitting? I have shown you all; we respect the President, but they don’t. This photograph proves who respects and who does not.” The video accompanying her speech shows two Trinamool leaders holding the photograph, which also features BJP veteran Lal Krishna Advani, taken on March 31, 2024, during a Bharat Ratna ceremony.

The controversy intensified after President Murmu attended the ninth International Santal Conference in Darjeeling on Saturday. She noted that neither Banerjee nor any West Bengal ministers welcomed her, pointing out that the change of venue and lack of local coordination made it difficult for people to attend. “Generally, when the president is coming, the chief minister should be welcoming, and other ministers should be present. But she did not come,” the President said, adding that she considers Banerjee like her “younger sister".

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Prime Minister Modi condemned the developments as “shameful and unprecedented”, accusing the Trinamool Congress (TMC) of disrespecting both the President and the Constitution. He emphasized the importance of tribal empowerment and criticised the state government for treating the Santal cultural event casually. In response, Banerjee defended her government, stating that no protocol lapse occurred and that the event was organised by a private body, with the President’s secretariat informed of the arrangements. She accused the BJP of politicising the highest office of the country.

Meanwhile, Union Home Secretary Govind Mohan sought a detailed report from the West Bengal Chief Secretary Nandini Chakravorty regarding alleged lapses, highlighting four key concerns, including the absence of senior officials, poor facilities, garbage along the route, and administrative accountability. The row is expected to escalate further as both parties maintain firm stances.

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