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‘Cannot be dismissed as logistical issues’: Odisha CM expresses anguish over shifting of tribal meet venue in Bengal

March 07, 2026 5 min read Polity & Governance Social Issues GS2 GS1
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What Happened

  • Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Majhi expressed strong anguish over the shifting of the International Santhal Conclave venue in West Bengal, calling it something that "cannot be dismissed as logistical issues."
  • Majhi's reaction came close on the heels of President Droupadi Murmu's rare public expression of displeasure over the venue change and the absence of state government representatives at her airport reception in North Bengal.
  • The original venue for the conclave in Darjeeling had a larger capacity; it was shifted to a site near Bagdogra Airport, reportedly due to traffic congestion and security concerns cited by the West Bengal government.
  • Odisha, which has one of the largest Santhal populations in India, has a direct stake in the dignity of the community and its cultural events.
  • The episode fuelled a national political row with cross-party condemnations targeting the West Bengal government's handling of the visit by the country's first tribal President.

Static Topic Bridges

Santhal Community: Tribal Identity and Constitutional Protections

The Santhals are the largest tribal group in India by population, spread across multiple eastern and northeastern states. Their constitutional and legal status is protected under several provisions of the Indian Constitution and special tribal legislation.

  • Santhals are listed as Scheduled Tribes under Article 342; the President, in consultation with the state government, specifies Scheduled Tribes via a notified order.
  • Major Santhal-populated states: Jharkhand, West Bengal, Odisha, Bihar, Assam.
  • Santali language: recognised in the Eighth Schedule (92nd Constitutional Amendment, 2003); script is Ol Chiki, developed in 1925 by Raghunath Murmu.
  • Article 46 (DPSP): The State shall promote with special care the educational and economic interests of the weaker sections of the people, and in particular, of the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes.
  • Fifth Schedule: Provides for administration and control of Scheduled Areas where tribal populations are significant (applicable in parts of Odisha, Jharkhand, Andhra Pradesh, etc.).
  • The Santhal Parganas Tenancy Act, 1949 restricts non-tribals from acquiring tribal land in the Santhal Parganas region of Jharkhand.

Connection to this news: Odisha has a large Santhal population; CM Majhi's statement reflects not just political alignment with the BJP but also a genuine interest in protecting the dignity of this community, whose most prominent representative is now the President of India.

President Murmu: First Tribal President and Symbolic Significance

President Droupadi Murmu's election in 2022 was a landmark in India's history — she is the first tribal person and the second woman to hold the office. Her identity as a Santali from Odisha adds a layer of significance to tribal events she attends.

  • Droupadi Murmu was born on June 20, 1958, in Baidaposi, Mayurbhanj district, Odisha — in the Santali tribal community.
  • She served as the 9th Governor of Jharkhand (2015–2021) before being elected President.
  • Elected as the 15th President of India in July 2022, with support from the NDA and several non-NDA parties.
  • Her election was seen as a recognition of tribal communities' political aspirations; she is the first President from a Scheduled Tribe background.
  • Article 54 governs the election of the President: elected by an Electoral College of elected MPs and elected state MLAs through STV.

Connection to this news: The venue reduction for a Santhal conclave — attended by the first Santali President — was symbolically loaded. Odisha's CM, whose state is home to a large Santali population, framed the issue as an insult to the community's dignity.

Protocol Obligations: State Governments and Presidential Visits

When the President visits a state, both the Governor and the Chief Minister have protocol obligations. These are specified in the Warrant of Precedence (1979) and supplementary instructions issued by the Ministry of Home Affairs. The absence of the CM or a nominated minister constitutes a protocol lapse.

  • Warrant of Precedence: President holds Position 1; the document establishes ceremony hierarchy for all constitutional offices.
  • Protocol convention (MHA): When the President arrives at an airport in any state, the Governor and the Chief Minister (or a designated senior minister) are expected to receive the President.
  • If the CM is unavoidably absent, they must nominate a senior Cabinet Minister to perform reception duties — this was not done in West Bengal.
  • The protocol also covers the arrangements at the event venue — adequate space, security, and official representation.
  • Inter-state dimensions: When national tribal meets are held, the host state bears responsibility to ensure the event is conducted with appropriate dignity, particularly when the Head of State attends.

Connection to this news: Odisha CM Majhi's use of the phrase "cannot be dismissed as logistical issues" directly challenges the West Bengal government's explanation. This framing — protocol as substantive constitutional obligation, not mere ceremony — reflects the political and legal significance of protocol norms.

Tribal Politics and the Northeast-East India Dynamic

Tribal communities spread across eastern and northeastern India have historically navigated complex relationships with state governments, central policy, and political parties. The Santhal Conclave controversy highlighted how tribal identity can become a site of political contestation.

  • Scheduled Tribes make up approximately 8.6% of India's population (Census 2011); approximately 104 million people.
  • Major tribal groups: Gond (MP, Chhattisgarh), Santhal (Jharkhand, WB, Odisha), Bhil (Rajasthan, MP), Oraon (Jharkhand), Munda (Jharkhand).
  • The Fifth Schedule governs "Scheduled Areas" in nine states (Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Chhattisgarh, Gujarat, Himachal Pradesh, Jharkhand, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Odisha, Rajasthan).
  • Tribal welfare is both a State and Concurrent responsibility; the Ministry of Tribal Affairs (MOTA) oversees central schemes including PM-JANMAN for Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups (PVTGs).
  • The Panchayats (Extension to Scheduled Areas) Act, 1996 (PESA) extends Panchayati Raj institutions to tribal areas with special safeguards for tribal self-governance.

Connection to this news: The International Santhal Conclave is part of a broader effort to assert Santali cultural identity at an international level. The political fallout from the venue controversy underlines how tribal representation in public events has become a politically significant battleground.

Key Facts & Data

  • Santhals are the largest tribal community in India; major states: Jharkhand, West Bengal, Odisha, Bihar.
  • Santali is one of 22 scheduled languages (Eighth Schedule); 92nd Constitutional Amendment, 2003.
  • President Droupadi Murmu: first tribal President, elected 2022; from the Santali community of Odisha (Mayurbhanj district).
  • Scheduled Tribes constitute approximately 8.6% of India's population (Census 2011).
  • The Warrant of Precedence (1979) places the President at Position 1 in India's official hierarchy.
  • West Bengal government: cited congestion and security for venue shift; did not send CM or a nominated minister to receive the President.
  • Odisha CM Mohan Majhi: BJP leader; Odisha has one of the largest Santhal populations in India.
  • The Santhal Hul (Rebellion) of 1855–56 was one of the first major organised revolts against colonial rule in the Indian subcontinent.