President Draupadi Murmu expressed displeasure over the change in the venue of the program in Bengal. The President said officials told him that the previously scheduled venue had been changed because there was too much crowd. The contribution of the Santhal community in the country’s freedom struggle has not been adequately recognized and the names of many great personalities associated with the community have been deliberately not included in history. He said, ‘I think the Bengal government does not want the welfare of the tribals. Mamta Banerjee is like my younger sister. I am also a daughter of Bengal.
Some people do not want Santhals to become strong: President
President Draupadi Murmu on Saturday (7 March 2026) inaugurated the 9th International Santhal Conference at Bidhannagar in Siliguri in Darjeeling district and stressed the need for education for Santhal children. She said, ‘I know how much contribution the Santhals have made in the country’s freedom struggle, but the names of Santhal great heroes were deliberately not included in history. Some people do not want the Santhals to unite, progress, get educated…some people do not want the Santhals to become strong. However, I know that Santhals have sacrificed their lives for the country.
What did President Murmu say about Mamata Banerjee?
On the venue of the program in Bengal, the President said, ‘It would have been better if this program was held in Bidhannagar. There is a lot of space there and many people could come. I don’t know why the state administration did not allow the meeting there. The ground where this program was organized in Phansidewa was very small, due to which many people could not attend the program. He said, ‘Neither the Chief Minister nor any Minister of State came to receive me during the North Bengal tour. I don’t know whether Mamata is angry with me or not. Well, it doesn’t matter.
The President urged the community to ensure that the new generation gets proper schooling. She said, ‘I want that all the children of the Santhal community should get good education and this will make them self-reliant and stronger.’ The President said the community should learn languages ​​other than ‘Ol Chick’ to expand opportunities.
