Townhall Times – It’s deeply concerning that President of India, Smt. Droupadi Murmu, who hails from an indigenous tribal community, showed a complete disregard for the ongoing Buddhist protests while attending the centenary celebration of Patna Medical College on February 25, 2025. As someone whose heritage has ties to indigenous traditions, one would expect her to have a special understanding and bond with the Buddhist community, given Buddhism’s historical and cultural significance, especially in India.
However, during her visit to the medical college in Patna, the President failed to acknowledge the ongoing protests by Buddhist monks and devotees, raising serious questions about her commitment to representing all communities equally. The Buddhist community has been fighting for their rights, especially concerning the management of sacred sites such as the Mahabodhi Temple in Bodhgaya. This protest, which has garnered global attention, deserved at least a gesture of recognition from the head of the state.
Instead, the President focused solely on praising the Patna Medical College’s centenary, highlighting its historical and modern achievements. She emphasized the importance of decentralizing medical institutions across India, calling for the expansion of medical centers in cities like Patna to help alleviate the burden on major urban hospitals. While these points are relevant, it feels tone-deaf to ignore the larger, more pressing concerns within the country regarding marginalized communities, particularly when the protest concerns the very heritage that makes India unique.
Furthermore, the President’s speech highlighted the role of technology in medical advancements, urging institutions like PMCH to adopt the latest in AI and robotics. While these advancements are important, it was disheartening to see such a grand opportunity to connect with the public on a deeper cultural issue being missed in favor of sterile, technological progress. The administration’s apparent neglect of a community in distress reflects a disconcerting trend of overlooking important social issues in favor of showcasing technological and economic development.
Given the President’s background and the historical roots of Buddhism in India, one would have hoped for a more sensitive approach, acknowledging the voices of the protesters while celebrating the achievements of Indian institutions. The failure to do so is a serious lapse in leadership, showing that the government continues to ignore the voices of minority communities in favor of political expediency.
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