Mamata refuses 'kumkum' reception at INDIA meet at Grand Hyatt Hotel in Mumbai

Mumbai: West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, who is currently in Mumbai for the third meeting of the Indian National Developmental Inclusive Alliance (INDIA) bloc, made headlines today as a video of her gracefully refusing a traditional welcome gesture went viral on social media.

As Mamata Banerjee entered the Grand Hyatt Hotel in Mumbai, she was greeted with a warm and traditional welcome by the hotel staff. The customary practice involved applying 'kumkum' or a tilak on her forehead as a sign of respect and hospitality. However, in a video that has been widely shared on social media platform X (formerly Twitter), Mamata Banerjee can be seen politely declining the kumkum gesture.

In the video, Mamata enters the hotel with folded hands, acknowledging the warm welcome. However, when one of the hotel staff members attempts to apply kumkum, she politely refuses. Despite the staff member's insistence, the West Bengal Chief Minister firmly declined the gesture.

The video of this incident quickly gained traction on social media, and it was even shared by BJP leaders from West Bengal, sparking discussions about cultural and political symbolism.

This incident followed another noteworthy moment during Mamata Banerjee's Mumbai visit when she tied a rakhi to Shiv Sena UBT chief Uddhav Thackeray at his residence, Matoshree, on the occasion of Raksha Bandhan. This heart-warming gesture showcased a symbol of unity and cooperation between the two leaders.

The INDIA bloc meeting, attended by leaders of 28 opposition parties, is currently underway in Mumbai, scheduled for two days from August 31 to September 1. One of the key highlights of the meeting was the unveiling of the alliance's logo.