Manmohan Singh Funeral Row: Congress MP Rahul Gandhi and AAP chief Arvind Kejriwal criticised the BJP-led government for allegedly disrespecting former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh by conducting his last rites at Nigambodh Ghat instead of a designated memorial site.
Lok Sabha Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi stated, ” Manmohan Singh, a great son of Bharat Mata and the first Sikh Prime Minister, was insulted by holding his funeral at Nigambodh Ghat. For a decade, he led India as Prime Minister, transforming the nation into an economic powerhouse. His policies continue to support the underprivileged and backward classes.”
“Till date, respecting the dignity of all former Prime Ministers, their last rites were performed at authorised burial sites so that every person could have the last darshan and pay homage without any inconvenience. . Manmohan Singh deserves our highest respect and a memorial. The government should have shown respect to this great son of the country and his proud community,” he added.
भारत माता के महान सपूत और सिख समुदाय के पहले प्रधानमंत्री डॉ मनमोहन सिंह जी का अंतिम संस्कार आज निगमबोध घाट पर करवाकर वर्तमान सरकार द्वारा उनका सरासर अपमान किया गया है।
एक दशक के लिए वह भारत के प्रधानमंत्री रहे, उनके दौर में देश आर्थिक महाशक्ति बना और उनकी नीतियां आज भी देश के…
— Rahul Gandhi (@RahulGandhi) December 28, 2024
Arvind Kejriwal expressed shock over the development, saying, “I am stunned to hear that Manmohan Singh, who served as India’s Prime Minister for ten years and earned global recognition, was cremated at Nigambodh Ghat. Unlike previous Prime Ministers, who were given memorials at Rajghat, the BJP government could not even allocate 1,000 square yards for his memorial.”
ये खबर सुनकर मैं स्तब्ध हूँ।
भारत के पूर्व प्रधानमंत्री डॉ मनमोहन सिंह जी का अंतिम संस्कार निगम बोध घाट पर किया गया। इसके पूर्व भारत के सभी प्रधानमंत्रियों का अंतिम संस्कार राजघाट पर किया जाता था।
सिख समाज से आने वाले, पूरी दुनिया में ख्याति प्राप्त, 10 वर्ष भारत के…
— Arvind Kejriwal (@ArvindKejriwal) December 28, 2024
The remarks come as the Congress accused the Modi government of deliberately insulting Singh by not designating a memorial site for his cremation. However, the Union Home Ministry clarified that plans for a memorial are underway. “The government has decided to allocate space for Manmohan Singh’s memorial, and this has been communicated to his family and Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge,” the ministry said in a statement.
The government added that the process involves forming a Trust and allocating suitable land, which would take time.
BJP MP Sambit Patra called the Congress allegation “a new low in politics of India” slamming Rahul Gandhi’s post.
#WATCH | Delhi | BJP MP Sambit Patra says, “This is a new low in politics of India, thanks to the Congress party. Due to the Congres party – we are here to have a press conference on the day when the last rites of the former prime minister were done… BJP believes that there has… pic.twitter.com/btRtWXQorH
— ANI (@ANI) December 28, 2024
“Due to the Congres party, we are here to have a press conference on the day when the last rites of the former prime minister were done… BJP believes that there has to be dignity in death. The kind of politics Congress is doing, especially Rahul Gandhi, who has tweeted about the cremation is shameful… The cabinet wrote a letter to Congress and Dr Singh’s family where the cabinet said that we should build a memorial in his name so that the country and the world remember him for his positive works,” he emphasised, as quoted by news agency ANI.
ALSO READ | Centre Agrees To Manmohan Singh Memorial After Congress Attack, Says Need Time To Form ‘Trust’
Manmohan Singh’s Final Journey With Full State Honours
Manmohan Singh, who passed away on 26 December at the age of 92, was cremated with full state honours at Nigambodh Ghat in Delhi on Saturday. The ceremony was attended by President oupadi Murmu, Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge, Sonia Gandhi, and Rahul Gandhi, among others.
Foreign dignitaries, including Bhutan’s King Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck and Mauritius’ Foreign Minister Dhananjay Ramful, also paid tributes. Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, Home Minister Amit Shah, and Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla were present, along with Chief Ministers Siddaramaiah, Revanth Reddy, Sukhwinder Singh Sukhu, and Atishi.
The funeral procession began from the Congress headquarters, where leaders and workers paid their respects. Singh’s body was carried in a flower-decorated vehicle, accompanied by chants of “Manmohan Singh Amar Rahe.” His pyre was lit by his eldest daughter, Upinder Singh, with Sikh priests reciting Gurbani, news agency PTI reported.
Credited as the architect of India’s economic reforms, Singh served as Prime Minister from 2004 to 2014, steering the nation towards growth. Congress workers raised demands for a Bharat Ratna during the funeral procession.
A seven-day national mourning has been declared, with the national flag flying at half-mast.
