Former Prime Minister of India and father of economic reforms, Dr. Manmohan Singh was cremated with full state honors at Nigambodh Ghat in Delhi on Saturday. His eldest daughter Upinder Singh cremated him. During this time, many prominent personalities of the country and abroad bid him last farewell. However, a political controversy arose over the location of his funeral.
Last rites at Nigambodh Ghat: Opposition from Congress and other leaders
Congress and other opposition parties raised objection to the cremation being performed at Nigambodh Ghat. Congress MP and Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi called it an insult to Dr. Manmohan Singh. Rahul Gandhi wrote on social media platform X:
“Dr. Performing the last rites of Manmohan Singh ji at Nigambodh Ghat is an insult to his dignity. He was the first Sikh Prime Minister of the country and during his tenure India became an economic superpower. The last rites of all former Prime Ministers have taken place at Samadhi sites, so that the countrymen can pay respect to them. Manmohan Singh also deserved the same honour.”
Former Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal also criticized this decision. they wrote:
“Dr. Cremation of Manmohan Singh, who was the Prime Minister of India for 10 years and was famous all over the world, at Nigambodh Ghat is an insult to the Sikh community and the entire country. The BJP government did not even give 1000 yards of land for his memorial.”
Congress’s demand and government’s stance
Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge had written a letter to Prime Minister Narendra Modi requesting that Dr. Singh’s last rites be performed at a place where his memorial could also be built. Party general secretary Jairam Ramesh accused the government of not providing a suitable place for Dr Singh’s funeral and memorial as a deliberate insult.
However, the Union Home Ministry clarified that the government will allot space for the memorial of Dr. Manmohan Singh.
Farewell with state honors
President Draupadi Murmu, Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla, Home Minister Amit Shah, Defense Minister Rajnath Singh, Congress leaders Sonia Gandhi, Mallikarjun Kharge, Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi Vadra were present at the funeral of Dr. Manmohan Singh. Many prominent personalities paid tribute.
Among the foreign dignitaries present were Bhutan’s King Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck and Mauritius Foreign Minister Dhananjay Ramphul.
Tradition and place of funeral: political allegations
The Congress termed the government’s “insensitivity” for not following the tradition of cremating Dr. Manmohan Singh at mausoleums like Rajghat. The party argued that former Prime Ministers have been given a place at Rajghat or nearby Samadhi sites.
At the same time, the government clarified that a memorial will be built in Dr. Singh’s honour.
Dr. Manmohan Singh: Farewell to a great leader
Dr. Manmohan Singh died on the night of 26 December at AIIMS, Delhi at the age of 92. He was the first Sikh Prime Minister of India, who led the country from 2004 to 2014. During his tenure, India touched new heights of economic development.
His farewell not only provided an opportunity to remember his life’s contribution, but also sparked a political debate regarding his honour.
