A political controversy has erupted over the memorial arrangements for former Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh, who recently passed away. The Congress party has criticized the government for conducting his last rites at Nigambodh Ghat, arguing that a leader of his stature deserves a prominent memorial site, consistent with the traditions for former Prime Ministers.
Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge sent a letter to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, emphasizing the importance of establishing Dr. Singh’s memorial at the location of his cremation. Kharge highlighted that such a step would honor Dr. Singh’s contributions to the nation and reflect the respect accorded to past leaders.
The government, however, stated that space for the memorial would be determined post-cremation. Union Home Minister Amit Shah assured Kharge and Dr. Singh’s family that a memorial could be established after completing the necessary formalities and forming a dedicated trust.
Congress leaders, including Kharge, criticized the decision to hold the funeral at Nigambodh Ghat, calling it a disrespectful move towards the country’s first Sikh Prime Minister. They viewed the location as unbefitting for a leader of Dr. Singh’s stature.
In response, the BJP accused Congress of politicizing the matter and pointed to instances where Congress allegedly overlooked memorials for statesmen like former Prime Minister P.V. Narasimha Rao and former President Pranab Mukherjee.
Dr. Manmohan Singh, who served as India’s Prime Minister from 2004 to 2014, was instrumental in driving India’s economic reforms and was widely respected for his statesmanship. The ongoing debate highlights the political sensitivities surrounding the commemoration of national leaders and the traditions involved in honoring their legacies.
